Our Thoughts on Roe V. Wade, A New MO Law and More
In the last week, the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed sweeping legislation making it a Class C misdemeanor for people experiencing homelessness to sleep on state-owned land and government officials have evaded their responsibility to end gun violence in our country.
Despite these injustices, the rights of women, the LGBTQIA+ community and the safety of peoples in the community are NOT up for debate.
We stand with you. We will keep fighting for you. And we are here to serve you as best we can.
Responding to the Supreme Court Overturning Roe V. Wade
Reproductive rights are directly related to housing rights— housing is healthcare. The decision of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe V. Wade disproportionately impacts many. LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing homelessness will suffer. Black birthing peoples are unfairly effected by mortality rates, medical racism and negligence. All people surviving poverty who are already routinely denied access to equitable services are now in more danger.
Pilar Barreyro from PSY said it best, “We denounce the overturning of Roe V. Wade. We denounce the violent political acts that seek to remove protections from our communities.”
All peoples have the right to be protected and we stand by that fact.
Responding to the New MO Law Signed by Gov. Parson on Wednesday
As stated earlier, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signs sweeping legislation Wednesday making it a Class C misdemeanor for people experiencing homelessness to sleep on state-owned land.
It is our duty to call attention to how this will impact people who are homeless in Missouri.
“The law prevents some federal and state funds from being used to construct affordable housing, instead redirecting that money towards constructing temporary camps that provide substance abuse and mental health treatment.
It also allows the Missouri attorney general to sue local governments that don’t enforce laws and orders on unauthorized public camping, sleeping or obstructions of sidewalks — and threatens the loss of all state and federal funding for housing and homelessness if they don’t abide by such bans. It goes into effect on Aug. 28.” *Source
We are calling on HUD to respond to this legislation for clarification and guidance. It could completely change the way our organization operates and greatly impact our ability to serve individuals who are homeless in Kansas City. Please join us in writing to local, state and federal officials concerning this issue.
Conclusion
These are not empty words without action. While we continue the work to end homelessness in the Greater Kansas City Area, we lift up all those doing the work to protect reproductive rights, to protect trans lives, to end gun violence, to protect Black lives, to eradicate poverty, to fund education and more.
