At 17, I found myself in a situation where my voice was not considered by the adults around me. Despite being the one who would live the reality of the situation, my doctors and my mother discussed my future as if I weren't in the room. I was never asked what I wanted. Instead of guidance, I was given an ultimatum. The 'support' I was offered was conditional: I was only supported if I complied with their decision for my life. This wasn't just a family disagreement; it was a systemic failure.

I am not alone in experiencing this. Across our state, minors find themselves without a voice in crucial decisions affecting their lives due to outdated and unjust laws that permit child marriage. Child marriage undermines the autonomy of young people, trapping them in situations that are often exploitative and detrimental to their well-being.

Current laws allow parents or medical professionals to usurp the rights of minors, bypassing what should be their protected voice in their own reproductive and legal decisions. This must change. Minors should never be coerced into life-altering commitments. Instead, they must have the liberty and legal backing to express their own choices about their futures.

We need legislative reform to ban child marriage in our state and ensure minors are protected from coercion and exploitation. This reform would be an important step in bridging the gap between exploitation and autonomy for young people, ensuring that 'support' can never again be used as a tool for coercion.

We are calling on our state legislators to take immediate action to amend the laws and build systems that truly protect the rights and future of minors. By supporting this petition, you can join us in urging our legislative bodies to put an end to child marriage and advocate for a future where every young person’s voice is heard and respected.

Sign this petition to demand change and protect the rights of minors in our state. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a safer future for all young people.