Hello Comrades!

Please sign this pledge in support of the Trans Rights and Bodily Autonomy Campaign!

Iowa City Democratic Socialists of America (IC DSA) voted to stand with DSA chapters across the nation to join in a Fighting Campaign for Trans Liberation and Reproductive justice, through a coordinated nationwide DSA-led campaign that passed at the 2023 National Convention. Iowa is one of the epicenters of the right-wing authoritarian attacks on bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and transgender rights. In Iowa City, many may feel that bodily autonomy, trans rights, and reproductive rights are "relatively" safe. This is false! No one is truly safe under capitalism! The fact remains that we face discrimination in the workplace, familial and domestic violence, outrageous costs of living, underfunded education and healthcare systems, and so much more. These products of capitalism have a disproportionate impact on those of marginalized backgrounds, and highlight how liberal "rainbow" capitalism is performative and inadequate.

IC DSA understands the battle for bodily autonomy is intrinsically connected to the socialist struggle for liberation and democracy. We stand in unwavering solidarity with all women, pregnant people, trans, non-binary, nonconforming, and queer workers and prioritize commitment to a national campaign for reproductive rights and trans rights.

Here are the demands of Iowa City DSA:

• Healthcare for all
• The repeal of all bans and restrictions on our fundamental right to healthcare. Local authorities must refuse to comply with and enforce laws that criminalize people for accessing abortion care and gender-affirming care.
• A Medicare for All healthcare system that provides universal care free at the point of service. It must provide sexual healthcare and gender-affirming healthcare, including HIV/AIDS care, fertility treatments, birth control, abortion, mental healthcare, hormone replacement therapy, and gender-affirming surgeries.
• Require hospitals to maintain the confidentiality of patients receiving gender-affirming care and/or reproductive or sexual healthcare.
• Support, expand, and fund non-carceral mental healthcare and crisis care systems, and oppose police involvement, which puts people in danger.
• Education
• Repeal of all restrictions on educators' right to teach and students' right to learn including the "Don't Say Gay" law, the Bathroom law, and the trans sports ban. Until these laws are repealed, Iowa City Community School District and local administrations must refuse to comply with these harmful laws.
• Raise teacher pay to a minimum of $65,000 and tax corporations to increase public school funding and end all subsidies for private schools.
• Enact comprehensive, LGBTQ+ - inclusive, and age-appropriate sex education and recognition of trans students' names and pronouns in school.
• Dignity at Work
• Raise the minimum wage to $20 and institute a four-day workweek with no reduction in wages and benefits.
• Repeal all union-busting laws and "Right to Work"
• The full decriminalization of sex work and unionization.
• Housing Justice
• Asses a vacancy tax to fund the building of new public housing, the renovation of existing public housing for climate resiliency, and LGBTQ+ inclusive programs to assist unhoused people.
• A tenant's bill of rights to end eviction enforcement without just cause, rent control, and a right to counsel for all tenants.

You may read the full resolution here: TRBACC

By signing this pledge it means you support this campaign and that you agree to receive follow-up emails on meetings, planning events, and campaign actions.

Thank you!