02/04/2026
Black Liberation and Reproductive Justice cannot be separated.
In 1951, a sample of cells were taken from the cervix of 30-year-old mother of 3 Henrietta Lacks, who was receiving treatment for cervical cancer. After finding that these cells had an abnormal ability to reproduce, Dr. George G*y used these cells to create what is now widely referred to as the "HeLa" cell line without Lacks's knowledge or consent. As was then the (unethical) practice, no consent was *legally* required to culture the cells obtained from Lacks's treatment.
Despite receiving treatment, Henrietta Lacks died of cervical cancer on October 1, 1951 when she was just 31 years old, leaving behind her partner and 3 children. The Lacks family was not made aware of the cell line originating from Henrietta Lacks until 1975, over 20 years after her death. She is still widely unknown, even though her cervical cells have been the foundation for scientific research for over 70 years.
Sexual healthcare institutions have a long history of severe mistreatment of Black women and people of other marginalized genders, and only when we acknowledge this can we make progress toward equitable care for all. Lovering will continue to work hard to ensure that we are a safe place for people of all backgrounds to receive care. Our practice and policies are rooted in consent as well as patient-centered and trauma-informed care and anti-racism. This is an ongoing commitment to staff education, reflection, and a passion for Reproductive Justice. Black history is important every day of the year, not just during Black History Month.
*xualhealth
