My name is Evelyn Bolling. I鈥檓 a sophomore at Virginia Tech, and a 色多多r born and raised. I鈥檓 writing to express concern about Gov. Glen Youngkin鈥檚 veto of the Right to Contraception Act in the Virginia Constitution. This bill would have codified the right to obtain contraception here in Virginia.
Unfortunately, Chris Obenshain, delegate of the 41st House District, voted against this bill. Obenshain represents all of Virginia Tech鈥檚 campus, and many students have reproductive freedom and education at the forefront of their priorities and needs.
This bill matters to everyone, whether they know it or not. Before the overturning of Roe v. Wade, we didn鈥檛 have to think about the possibility of our reproductive health care being threatened. Contraception has been used for more than reproductive care. It鈥檚 used for severe menstrual cramping, an alternative to acne medications, and regulating menstrual cycles. Women depend on access to these medications and no politician should take that right away from us.
As we progress into the Trump Administration, decisions such as contraception are being left to the states. We cannot trust that the federal government will protect such rights, so we have to demand that protection from our state legislators. Del. Obenshain has demonstrated he will not protect Virginia鈥檚 right to contraception, health care, and education freedom. That is why I am voting for Lily Franklin this fall.
Lily Franklin knows contraception is not a privilege, but a right. She鈥檚 made contraception and reproductive care a key part of her platform. Obenshain has shown that he only cares about inflicting his agenda onto us, and I don鈥檛 trust him to protect our rights if re-elected. Lily Franklin will work to not only protect the right to contraception, but expand access to reproductive healthcare and protect our freedom to choose what we do with our own bodies.
I urge Virginia Tech students to register in the 41st District for this election. We live here, pay rent, taxes, and education here. We deserve a say in who will oversee our home. Lily Franklin has my vote in the fall. Will she have yours?
