HEALTH

Data shows LGBTQ+ Arizonans are more at risk with upcoming abortion ban

More than a third of trans people who got pregnant considered unsafe abortion methods, while bisexuals and lesbians experience unwanted pregnancies at higher rates.

Lisa Abelar (she/her) Apr 12, 2024

Data shows LGBTQ+ Arizonans are more at risk with upcoming abortion ban — A protester holding a sign at a rally. LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately effected by abortion bans compared to their straight peers. (Photo by Emma Guliani/Pexels)

The Arizona Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate a 160-year-old territorial law is expected to have dramatic consequences on the state’s LGBTQ+ community, specifically lesbian and bisexual women, as well as transgender people, according to recent research.

Data from 2022 released by the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, reported that queer people are more likely to need abortion care since they have higher rates of unintended pregnancy compared to heterosexual women.

Citing statistics from the federal 2017-2019 National Survey for Family Growth, the report said 22.8% of lesbian women and 27.2% of bisexual women reported needing an abortion. That is in comparison to 15.4% of exclusively heterosexual women who needed to terminate a pregnancy.

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