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Top Chef hosts Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons joined thousands of other pro-choice marchers in Houston Oct. 2 to protest the Texas abortion law, KHOU 11 reported.
"My mother's generation fought for the same things that we're fighting for now," Lakshmi told the station. "It seems ludicrous that nothing has changed. I was three years old when Roe vs. Wade happened. I can't believe I'm fighting for the same stuff, but fight we must."
The Texas law bans abortion six weeks after gestation, or when doctors can detect a heartbeat, the station reported. It said the legislation is "considered a virtual prohibition on the procedure," and gives private citizens the right to seek civil lawsuits against people accused of performing, getting or supporting abortion.
Similar marches were held across the United States including in Dallas, San Antonio and Austin.
“For Top Chef {hosts Padma Lakshmi and Gail Simmons} to join in speaks volumes about them but at the same time it's about the City of Houston," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner tweeted. "We're a very inclusive city and what hurts one hurts us all.”
In a speech on the steps of Houston City Hall, Lakshmi said her mother made the difficult decision to have an abortion after being injured in a crash that left her unable to work.
"At that time, not only could my parents not afford another child, but her body could not physically sustain another pregnancy,” Lakshmi said. “It’s out of love for me that they made the difficult decision to do what was right for our family. It’s out of love for my mother and all families that I stand here today, ready to fight."