Election 2011: Mississippi “Personhood Amendment” fails

In one of the country’s most highly watched contests this election, voters in Mississippi have rejected Initiative 26, which sought to amend the state Constitution to establish legal “personhood” at the moment of fertilization. If it had passed, Initiative 26 would have become the nation’s most restrictive law against abortion and birth control.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force traveled to Jackson, Miss., to phone bank and stand in solidarity with Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Mississippians for Healthy Families campaign.

“This is a victory for Mississippi and for all those who value women’s lives and the right of people to make very personal — even life-saving — decisions about their own bodies free of unwarranted government intrusion,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. “Initiative 26 would only have served to hurt women and their families, not help. As a staunch supporter of reproductive freedom, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force stands in solidarity with the women of Mississippi and our organizational partners fighting to protect women’s rights and lives.”