The Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws: Coalition for Reproductive Justice and LGBTQ+ Liberation coalition group held a press conference Jan. 2 at Chicago's City Hall just outside the city's Department of Transportation offices.

The groups announced their intention to hold this march/rally on August 18—the day before the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) convention is set to begin at the United Center—to demand full reproductive- and LGBTQ+-justice under federal law.

According to the group's press release, "For years the Democrats have taken us for granted, thereby enabling the far right's attacks on us," and that, "We must control our own bodies."

Speakers included Coalition For Abortion Rights Co-Founder Linda Loew; Stop Trans Genocide-Chicago Co-Founder Kristi Keorkunian-Rivers; Chicago Abortion Fund Movement Building Cohort Steering Committee member and volunteer Jayme Alton; Reproductive Transparency Now Founder and President Lisa Battisfore; and Gay Liberation Network Co-Founder and long-time Chicago activist Andy Thayer.

Loew said, "Our bodies and lives are under attack by unjust laws across the United States, including right here in Illinois, despite the fact that a majority of Americans support the right to safe, legal and accessible abortions—full reproductive justice [and] full rights for LGBTQ+ communities."

Additionally, Loew spoke about the continuing assaults on reproductive rights in multiple states, the dangerous crisis pregnancy centers that have no oversight or accountability and the increased maternal and infant mortality rates due to these restrictions on abortion. She added that these restrictions could grow if the U.S. Supreme Court rules against the current level of access to the abortion drug Mifepristone, which is used by 53% of all people seeking abortions nationwide.

Loew said that LGBTQ+ community, especially trans people, are seeing their rights to live, go to school and work in safety under attack in multiple GOP-controlled states. She also pointed out that voters have decided to restore abortion access in GOP-controlled states like Kansas, Ohio and Kentucky via the referendum process, but added that this piecemeal process is not enough.

The coalition, Loew said, will be greeting the thousands of DNC delegates with their call for nationwide reproductive and LGBTQ+ rights laws, including repealing the Hyde Amendment.

Keorkunian-Rivers said the DNC had been "paying inadequate lip service to us during this wave of restrictive abortion laws ripping through the nation, [which] disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including Black, Brown, queer, trans, poor, underserved and the intersections of each." That in turn reinforced "the shackles of inequality, trying to pander to the voting public with lies."

Keorkunian-Rivers further warned that, "We are done allowing the language and uncontested actions that signify the increasingly conservative status-quo. There has always been a body-count to this practice. Ignorance is complicity. Silence is still, as always, violence."

Alton spoke about the increased workload and expenses her organization has had since the Dobbs decision due to serving patients who have had to travel to Illinois to seek abortions from states as far away as Texas. She said these barriers to abortion care are "unacceptable" and that the public has to hold politicians accountable until they protect their communities while they also "work together toward a future [where] reproductive justice" is accessible in every part of America.

Battisfore focused on 100 crisis pregnancy centers that still exist in Illinois out of the approximately 3,000 across the U.S. She added that last July, she stood behind Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul where he announced that he would defend SB1909, the law that would hold these crisis pregnancy centers accountable.

But a federal lawsuit challenging that law was filed in Rockford, Illinois and since that time "there has been radio silence" from the attorney general. Battisfore said that Raoul made a deal with these anti-abortion groups last month and now SB1909 is under a permanent injunction.

Battisfore said that the episode illustrates how elected officials fail the communities that elect them.

"Anti-choice and anti-LGBTQ bigots are rejoicing at the loss of SB1909, while we stand by and wait for politicians to finally do something, but we are not going to just wait around anymore," said Battisfore. "It is time to take action and it is time to hold them accountable."

Thayer said the march will be about "demanding that our bodily autonomy is respected. This should not be a difficult ask, but unfortunately, here in 2024 in the U.S., it is a difficult ask." He also quoted from the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution where it plainly states that bodily autonomy is a right that everyone should have in America. Thayer then spoke about the permit they would be applying for immediately following this press conference.

After a short Q&A session, coalition members went to the clerk around the corner, paid the $50 fee and submitted the march/rally application. This does not guarantee that their application will be approved.

To find out more information and/or get involved with the Coalition, email them at

bodiesoutsideofunjustlaws@gmail.com .