KU policy expert can discuss leaked SCOTUS opinion, '50 years of dismantling of legal abortion'


LAWRENCE — A draft opinion from the Supreme Court leaked May 2, indicating the court would vote to overturn Roe v. Wade, the law that has made abortion access legal throughout the United States for nearly 50 years. The highly unusual breach in the court’s protocol is not a final ruling, but Alesha Doan, professor of public affairs & administration and women, gender & sexuality studies, is available to speak with media on the draft opinion, its implications, abortion policy, the effects of overturning Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion laws in state legislatures, anti-abortion tactics and related topics.

Alesha Doan, University of Kansas professor“The dismantling of legal abortion has been in the works for 50 years. Anti-abortion activists and elected officials, supported by a vocal minority of citizens, have strategically implemented restrictions, propped up misinformation, delegitimized evidence-based health care and promoted a culture of stigma and shame that has led to this likely Supreme Court outcome,” Doan said. “Re-criminalizing abortion will not eliminate the need for it. However, it will deepen the disparate reproductive health outcomes that already exist for communities of color and people who are economically disadvantaged.”

Doan has conducted research and written articles on abortion policy, law, tactics of anti-abortion activists and more, including the books “Abortion Regret: The New Attack on Reproductive Freedom,” “The Politics of Virginity: Abstinence in Sex Education” and “Opposition and Intimidation: The Abortion Wars and Strategies of Political Harassment.”

To schedule an interview, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860, mkrings@ku.edu or @MikeKrings.

Tue, 05/03/2022

author

Mike Krings

Media Contacts