In the state of Delaware, we are fortunate to be a “safe haven” for reproductive freedom. While that is worth celebrating, we should acknowledge that the freedom to choose does not mean guaranteed access to those choices. The good news: there is a new team determined to change that. On May 20th, at the Dover Public Library, tucked away in a rather plain, inconspicuous room on the east wing, a groundbreaking moment for reproductive justice was celebrated: the official launch of the Reproductive Advocacy Alliance of Delaware (RAAD). RAAD is a network of organizations from across the state whose missions are devoted to issues of race, gender, and sexuality, and that have joined forces to form a coalition that takes an intersectional approach to reproductive justice.
RAAD’s network includes the ACLU of Delaware, Black Girl Health Collective, Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Planned Parenthood of Delaware, Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice, Women’s March Sussex, First State Abortion Fund, Delaware Sexuality and Gender Collective, Orgullo Delaware, and Black Mothers in Power. These 10 organizations recognized that, even though many forms of reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy are protected in our state, gaps remain in education, advocacy, policy, resources, and access to essential forms of care, particularly for those living in Sussex and Kent counties. RAAD hopes to bridge those gaps. Several of the partner organizations attended and set up informational booths to share more about their cause(s) and connect with attendees interested in getting more involved or in need of their services. In addition, RAAD network members gave brief presentations on their organizations and the work leading up to the launch. RAAD’s goal was clear: increase access, funding, and education to reproductive and gender-affirming care. In doing so, RAAD serves as the pathway to our right to choose when and what we do with our bodies and our lives.
As someone who grew up in Sussex County and continues to visit family in the area frequently, I am no stranger to the lack of access to health care in general, much less reproductive and gender-affirming care. Because of that, the launch of RAAD was incredibly gratifying to attend. I have many loved ones who have lost access to primary care due to the increasing demand for healthcare in the area; others have struggled to obtain methods of birth control (on one occasion, a doctor outright denied implanting an intrauterine device because their patient was young and childless). Pregnant people often have to travel over an hour to receive prenatal care, only to be put on months-long wait-lists.
An alliance that aims to improve access is exactly what Delaware needs, particularly in Delaware’s rural communities, economically disadvantaged communities, and places where gender-affirming care and reproductive freedom are still taboo topics.
While many of us can benefit directly from the services RAAD and partner organizations provide, make no mistake: their work benefits everyone. In the words of Brittany Taylor-Williams, founder of The Black Girl Health Collective, “reproductive freedom is not a woman’s issue, it’s a community issue.”
If you want to be more involved in RAAD's or any partnering organization's work, they want to hear from you! The current network is simply the beginning; they would love to have more organizations whose work aligns with their mission to join forces, join the network, and contribute to improving access to reproductive and gender-affirming care. If you’d like to learn more, check out their website https://raad-de.org/. And please, take the time to celebrate and thank the individuals who have worked tirelessly for years to bring the vision of a reproductive alliance to fruition and improve the lives of Delawareans across the state.
If you missed the event, or if you didn’t get a chance to take a walk around the tables, here’s a quick rundown of the attending tables:
- The Black Girl Health Collective is “where health and culture meet.” It’s an organization dedicated to re-imagining health and wellness for Black Delawareans. Their goals are simple but essential: make health/wellness spaces more inclusive and culturally aware, offer tools to navigate healthcare and the challenges it poses to Black communities, and connect people to clinicians and community leaders who work to improve access, provide resources, offer connection, and serve as a safe space. You can check out their website blackgirlhealthcollective.org, or follow them on Facebook @blackgirlhealthcollective, Instagram @blackgirlhealthcollective, or Threads @blackgirlhealthcollective.
- Women’s March Sussex is “harnessing the power and raising the voices of all women.” They aim to provide civic education and engagement opportunities for Sussex residents to advocate for issues affecting women. They are guided by four freedoms: reproductive freedom, economic freedom, freedom from harm, and freedom to access healthcare. Learn more about their organization on their website wms-de.org, or follow them on Facebook @womensmarchsussex or Instagram @womensmarchsussexde.
- The Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a “statewide nonprofit organization and coalition of organizations, groups, and individuals that strive to promote conditions that prevent and eliminate domestic violence by educating its members and community partners.” You can learn more about them by visiting their website dcadv.org or following them on Facebook @delawarecoalition, Instagram @dcadv, or Bluesky @dcadv.bsky.social.
- First State Abortion Fund is “putting abortion access first.” A local, volunteer-powered organization that seeks to break down financial barriers and increase abortion access by providing financial assistance, practical assistance, and reducing other barriers that cause unnecessary stress to essential care. You can learn more about their services by visiting their website firststateabortionfund.org or following @firststateabortionfund on Facebook or Instagram.
- Delaware Sexuality and Gender Collective (DSGC)/Orgullo Delaware is “the first and only Trans Latinx-led organization that focuses on providing mental health support and social programming to the LGBTQIA community in Delaware.” Orgullo Delaware prioritizes finding hormones for undocumented, trans individuals, educating organizations and medical professionals about the needs of trans people, and working to develop policy that will protect trans latines in the state. DSGC hosts LGBTIA+-centered trainings and events with other professionals involved in advocacy, reproductive health, intimate partner violence, and mental health to share information and resources that support flourishing within the LGBTQIA+ community. To learn more about their work and resources, visit them on Facebook @delawaresexgendercollective and @orgullodelaware.
