Dobbs Discussion Series

Presented by Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies & The Center for Women’s and Gender Equity

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) is a landmark decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that has overturned Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992).  The Dobbs decision states that the Constitution of the United States does not confer a right to abortion. Much is unknown in the wake of this landmark decision. The Understanding Dobbs discussion series explores many of the issues the Dobbs decision has uncovered, deepening our collective knowledge, and fostering civil dialogue. This is a lunch and learn series and participants are encouraged to bring their own lunches.

Courts and Precedents

Dr. Josh Boston
September 16 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Hayes 203

The Dobbs decision reverses nearly 4 decades of U.S. Supreme Court precedence. Learn more about “precedents,” and how this decision may impact other court decisions. Dr. Josh Boston is a Political Science professor at BGSU.

Federal and State Legislative Branches: Amendments, Acts, and Laws

Dr. Nicole Kalaf-Hughes
September 27 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Hayes 203

Now that states are free to make their own laws about abortion, we are left with a patchwork of conflicting and confusing policies.  Learn more about the evolving relationships between federal and state legislatures, and how some policymakers are attempting to address the Dobbs decision with new amendments, acts, and laws. Dr. Nicole Kalaf-Hughes is a Political Science professor at BGSU.

Birth Control & Sterilization

Dr. Erin Marten, Shauna Welch, and Dr. Sarah Rainey-Smithback
October 18 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | Jerome Library 142

In the wake of Dobbs, many people have questions about ways of preventing pregnancy. Others are concerned that some forms of birth control may be a future target of regulation. Learn more about birth control, including IUDs and sterilization. Dr. Erin Marten DNP MPH APRN-CNM is a Certified Nurse Midwife and founder of Solace Health and Wellness; Shauna Welch MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC is a Nurse Practitioner at Falcon Health, and Dr. Sarah Rainey-Smithback is a Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies professor at BGSU.

Title IX & Sexual Violence

Kathy Mull and Lakeshia Dowlen
November 10 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | BTSU 316

Because sexual violence sometimes leads to pregnancy, the Dobbs decision will have significant impact on the available of abortion for survivors.  Learn more about how the Dobbs decision impacts sexual violence services and protections, including Title IX. Kathy Mull is the Director of The Cocoon, and Lakeshia Dowlen is the Title IX Coordinator at BGSU.  

The Politics of Privacy

Dr. Sarah Rainey-Smithback
November 15 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | BTSU 316

The Dobbs decision states that abortion is not protected by the 14^th amendment and its so-called protection of privacy.  This session explains this nuance to the decision, but also the conflicted relationship feminists and disability rights advocates have had with privacy. Dr. Sarah Rainey-Smithback is the Director of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at BGSU.

Racial Politics of Reproductive Rights

Thasia Awad and Dr. Kimberly Stanley
November 17 | 12:00-1:00 p.m. | BTSU 316

Protecting women of color and their children is used by both sides of the abortion debates.  This session explores the racial politics of reproductive rights, including why a disproportionate number of women of color seek abortions, and the work of women of color activists to tackle the black maternal mortality crisis in the U.S.  Thasia Awad is the Director of the Melanation Healing Project, and Dr. Kimberly Stanley is an Ethnic Studies professor at BGSU.