To the Editor:

For the first time in American history, an individual right that most Americans have had their entire lives has been taken away. With the fall of Roe v Wade, people across Connecticut and the US are realizing that those without the means to travel to "safe harbor" states could soon be forced to bear children against their will.

We’ve heard warnings for years, but it’s still profoundly jarring. This is a new moment.

While Connecticut has passed reproductive rights legislation, which protects medical providers and patients seeking care from states that have outlawed abortion, this decision is only the beginning. In his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas argues that the Supreme Court “should reconsider” its past rulings codifying rights to contraception access, same-sex relationships, and same-sex marriage.

Clearly, the role of state legislatures has never been more critical. Our leaders should be laser focused on bringing prices down and rebuilding our economy, not taking away Americans’ freedom to make their own personal decisions.

Personally, I could never imagine making this kind of decision for anyone else. I felt that way before I ran for office, and that hasn’t changed. The role of government should be to empower people in Connecticut and across America, not to control them.

Please make your voice heard in the upcoming elections. Now that the Supreme Court has overridden the majority will of Americans, the only way to protect our right to bodily autonomy, is to vote.

Tim Gavin

Democrat candidate for 28th State Senate District

Fairfield