Atlanta rap star Latto has teamed up with Planned Parenthood to fight the Supreme Court’s controversial ruling to take away a woman’s Constitutional right to abortion.
The Supreme Court issued the ruling on June 24th in a 6-3 vote to uphold a Mississippi abortion ban and 5-4 to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
Latto’s song “P*SSY” is up for Best New Artist and Video For Good for addressing the ban at the MTV Video Music Awards. She is using the partnership with Planned Parenthood to remind her fans to keep up the fight for abortion rights and access in America.
According to stats, almost 1 in 3 women have lost the right to abortion as states enact bans around the country – including Latto’s hometown of Clayton County, Georgia.
Legislators in Clayton County recently passed H.B. 481, which would criminalize an abortion after six weeks.
“We already know who’s going to be hurt the most by these ridiculous abortion bans: Black women, Brown women, the LGBTQ+ community, and communities with low incomes,” Latto said. “Because of this country’s history of racism and discrimination, these folks already have a hard time getting the health care they need. We all deserve to be safe, and it’s every person’s right to make decisions about their own bodies. As an artist, I want to use my platform to let these politicians know: My body is for no one to control but me.”
Latto just announced she would donate a portion of her earnings generated by “P*SSY” to Planned Parenthood. Caren Spruch, national director, Arts & Entertainment Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, was happy Latto was stepping up to keep the attention on the issue of a woman’s right to an abortion.
“We’ve been privileged to have the support of many wonderful musical artists who are speaking out about the attacks on abortion. When a prominent artist like Latto uses their platform to amplify the need for reproductive rights for all, it’s a very powerful moment,” Spruch said. “Latto’s voice will do so much to inspire others to use their voices, too, and we are thrilled that she is speaking her truth. In this time of widespread loss of abortion access, the time for us all to speak up is now.”
In addition to being nominated for “P*SSY,” Latto is up for three other MTV Video Music Awards. The VMA’s airs tomorrow (August 28th).