Right to abortion: the video game industry denounces the decision of the US Supreme Court | XboxOne

Friday, June 24 marks a big step back in the history of the United States. While the right to abortion was enshrined in the constitution in 1973, the US Supreme Court has just taken the decision to remove it. It is now up to each state to authorize or not the abortion (voluntary interruption of pregnancy) on its soil. This historic back-pedalling sparked a number of reactions around the world and several players in the video game industry were quick to take a stand to denounce this choice.

Studios rise up to support reproductive freedom and body rights

Could it be otherwise? This is unlikely, because the stop ” Roe v. wade » guaranteed every woman to be able to have an abortion regardless of the reasons that led them to make this decision.

Removing this amendment means explicitly saying that every American woman no longer has the right to decide for herself whether she wants to go through with her pregnancy, even if the child was conceived in dramatic circumstances that you necessarily imagine.

Associations, public and political personalities, population gathered en masse in the streets, many are those who protest vehemently against the Supreme Court. The video game industry is not to be outdone and several developers, like Bungie, have also wanted to show their support in this fight.

Media Molecule, Niantic, Naughty Dog, Ubisoftare just some of the many video game players who have reacted to protest against this reversal in the history of women’s rights.

Besides these, a Microsoft spokesperson also made a statement to the site Gamesindustry :

Microsoft will continue to do everything possible within the law to help its employees and their dependents access essential health care – which already includes services like abortion and gender-related care – whatever regardless of their place of residence in the United States. This support has been extended to travel assistance for these and other legal medical services when access to care is limited in an employee’s home geographic region.

Same story at Activision-Blizzard, which has already extended health coverage for its employees:

Maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all is a top priority for Activision Blizzard and includes supporting the physical and mental well-being of everyone who works here, including their dependents.

Earlier in June, we announced the expansion of our travel medical benefits to include coverage for U.S. employees and their dependents who participate in our medical plans and live in areas where access to medical care, including including reproductive health, gender-affirming treatment, transplant care, and any other medical care covered by our plans that is not available in a covered person’s state, or within 100 miles of their place of residence.

Finally, note that Electronic Arts is currently working with its health care provider to offer the same services to all of its workforce. As of this writing, nine states have banned the right to abortion. Will this general mobilization be able to change things? Time will tell.