College of Law event examines the state of reproductive rights post-Dobbs

Three months post the Dobbs ruling which returned the question of the right to an abortion to the states, the reproductive landscape across the country has changed radically. Abortion rights are dictated by geography. Many state legislatures are passing restrictive or expanding abortion legislation. Varying criminal standards and means of enforcement abound. To examine the current state of affairs, address questions and provide solutions to the challenges that have arisen, the University of Cincinnati College of Law is hosting the day-long colloquium “Reproductive Rights Post-Dobbs”, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28^th at the college.  This event, the inaugural Social Justice Colloquium, is sponsored by the Nathaniel R. Jones Center for Race, Gender, and Social Justice. The colloquium is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information and questions, email lawrgsj@ucmail.uc.edu

8:30 – 9am                     Welcome

9:15 – 10:30 am             How Did We Get Here? Casey, Roe, and Dobbs

This panel will provide a background and history to the right to abortion and reproductive rights, couched in the right to privacy, and the development of constitutional substantive due process generally.

Participants:

• Jack B. Harrison, professor of law and director, Center of Excellence in Advocacy, Salmon P. Chase College of Law
• Caleigh Harris, University of Cincinnati College of Law
• Shelbi Shultz, University of Cincinnati College of Law
• Tori Gooder, judicial attorney, Supreme Court of Ohio

10:45am – 12:15pm     The Legal Field and the Dobbs Dilemma

This panel will provide an overview of where abortion and reproductive rights stand currently, from the Dobbs decision to now.  What was the Dobbs decision?  What did it mean?  What was its impact legally on reproductive rights, abortion access, and access to other reproductive care?  Are there any other implications to other rights based on rights to privacy?  What legal strategies can be used to re-affirm the right to abortion (e.g. Ohio Constitution’s Equal Protection and Benefit Clause, etc.)? 

Participants:

• Rebecca Dussich, attorney and political Consultant
• Maggie Scotece, Interim executive director, Abortion Fund of Ohio
• Kathleen Brinkman, counsel to the firm Porter Wright

12:15 – 12:45pm        Break for lunch on your own

12:45 – 2:15pm          Impacts on Reproductive Care Post-Dobb

Panel participants will discuss abortion and reproductive care post-Dobbs, including conversations on  access to abortion care, other reproductive care (STI, screenings, IVFs, contraceptives, etc.), and intersectional discussions (socio-economic, race, ability, LGBTQ, etc.)

Participants

• Danielle Bessett, PhD, professor of sociology and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies affiliate faculty, University of Cincinnati, co-Lead of the Ohio Policy Evaluation Network
• Kersha Deibel,  CEO, Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio
• Elizabeth Lanphier, assistant professor Department of Pediatrics and Philosophy, clinical ethicist at the Ethics Center, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies affiliate faculty
• Judith Daar, Ambassador Patricia L. Herbold Dean and Professor of Law, Salmon P. Chase College of Law

2:30 -3:45pm             Greater Community Impacts Post-Dobbs

Participants will discuss community impacts on the right to abortion and reproductive rights. This will also include the impact on access to abortion care, reproductive care (STI, screenings, IVFs, contraceptives, gender affirming care, etc.)

Participants

• Tamika Odum, PhD, associate professor of sociology, University of Cincinnati
• Dr. Sarah Pickle, associate professor clinical, College of Medicine University of Cincinnati
• Alexandria Doty, University of Cincinnati College of Law
• Dr. Priya Gursahaney, MD, MSCR, associate professor of obstetrics & gynecology, University of Cincinnati, family planning section
  

4:00-5:00pm              A Path Forward and Calls to Action

The purpose of the panel is to talk about ways we can move forward in this post-Dobbs world to reclaim and secure our rights to abortion, reproductive care, bodily autonomy, and so much more. The conversation will also include ways to get involved, community organizing, etc.

Participants

• Jordyn Close, board chair of Women Have Options-Ohio and executive fellow of Ohio Women’s Alliance
• Brendan Mathews, MPH University of Cincinnati College of Law
• Janiah Miller, MPA reproductive justice liaison at the Ohio Women’s Alliance

5:00-5:30pm              Closing Remarks

Featured image provided.