As the United States gears up for the 2024 presidential election, the stakes for reproductive rights and gender-affirming care have never been higher. Amid this politically charged atmosphere, organizations like Elevated Access continue their vital work of connecting those in need of reproductive healthcare and trans-affirming medical services to accessible providers. Regardless of the outcome of the election, whether Kamala Harris triumphs over Donald Trump or not, the reality remains: legal victories alone will not ensure access.
Mike Bonanza, CEO of Elevated Access, emphasizes that while a Harris presidency would be a “better” outcome, the landscape of reproductive and trans rights in America remains deeply fractured. Under Republican leadership, 26 states have imposed near-total bans on gender-affirming care for minors, mirroring the widespread restrictions on abortion access that continue to spread across the country. Elevated Access has grown in response, completing over 1,200 flights to assist individuals in accessing care, whether for abortions or gender-affirming treatment, as these services are often banned or inaccessible in their home states.
However, the fight for access doesn’t end with legislation. “Even under a pro-choice administration, there are barriers to care,” Bonanza notes. These include financial obstacles, lack of transportation, and the widespread inadequacies in the U.S. healthcare system. For many trans individuals and those seeking abortions, this means traveling long distances, a luxury many cannot afford. The disparity in healthcare access remains one of the biggest challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community, which often finds itself at the intersection of these critical healthcare debates.
What’s at stake extends beyond reproductive and trans rights. Bonanza points to the dehumanizing rhetoric increasingly employed by political figures, which further marginalizes vulnerable communities. The call to action for voters this November is clear: rehumanize those who have been pushed to the fringes by oppressive policies. Yet, despite any legal advances that may come, Bonanza’s message remains the same: “Legalization does not equal access.”