I’m scared, upset and reeling right alongside you. As Adam Serwer wrote for The Atlantic this week, the Supreme Court isn’t just in the process of repealing Roe v. Wade, it’s in the process of “repealing the 20th century.”
“All over the world the right to decide when and whether to give birth is tied to the political, social, and economic rights of women as individuals. That right is likely to be severely curtailed or to vanish entirely in at least 26 states if this decision takes effect. If the draft becomes the Court’s decision, however, it would have implications for more than just abortion. In the U.S., the rights of many marginalized groups are tied to the legal precedents established in the fight for abortion rights. This opinion, if adopted, provides a path to nullifying those rights one by one.”
[Insert your panic-stricken expletive of choice right here.]
For now, let’s build a brain trust for reproductive justice. Please use this thread to share:
Books / articles that can provide context and insight
Trusted experts and activists we can follow to learn more
Abortion funds and other groups we can support
(I believe that reproductive justice is a human right. I also believe in blocking and rudely talking about people who try to cause a fuss in my comments. If you wanna debate someone’s right to make decisions about their own body, I’m sure you can find a venue as rancid as your opinion. But this ain’t it. Don’t try me.)
May 4, 2022·edited May 4, 2022Liked by Saeed Jones
Speaking specifically for the Deep South (Mississippi Delta, Alabama & Louisiana), the Yellowhammer Fund (https://www.yellowhammerfund.org/) does a TON of work b/c there is little to no abortion access in those states & not everybody can get to Atlanta for the services they need. Their newsletters are very informative as well.
For any Michigan folks: https://mireproductivefreedom.org/ is a campaign to amend the Michigan Constitution to ensure the right to make and carry out decisions without political interference about all matters relating to pregnancy, including birth control, abortion, prenatal care, and childbirth via a ballot proposal for the November 2022 election. Michigan is a trigger state as it has an existing state law banning abortion which would go back into effect upon Roe being overturned. The campaign is gathering signatures for the petition as well as looking for volunteers. You can find a local petition signing event or volunteer via the link. There will be petitions to sign at the Ann Arbor (I know) farmer's market this weekend and Eastern Market in Detroit next weekend.
My household will be participating in the Mother's Day strike by not spending any money for one week starting this Sunday. I have to work, and my husband is a stay-at-home parent, so the burden of unpaid care labor falls mainly to him. But we will not be opening our wallet for anyone for seven days and I hope that others do the same if they're able to.
This article from The Cut aggregates abortion funds by state and groups the states by how likely they will be affected by Roe being overturned: https://www.thecut.com/article/donate-abortion-fund-roe-v-wade-how-to-help.html. It also contains really helpful context for each state. There are also practical support orgs, like Brigid Alliance (https://brigidalliance.org/), that provide travel support for people who have to travel long distances to access abortion care.
I mostly want to say thank you for sharing this and for being explicit about not tolerating the b.s. Seeing this, in addition to IG posts by Kiese Laymon & Dante Stewart (in addition to all the people w vaginas I follow obvi) really warmed my heart today.
For anyone who needs it, Kiese Laymon’s post gives you permission to hate fiercely right now. I also regarded on my Instagram.
I drove for two hours today blasting “Nina cried power” over and over and cry-singing at the top of my lungs. If you aren’t familiar, it’s Hozier feat. Mavis Staples … features the line, “It’s not the wakin’. It’s the risin’.”
As for what to do, here are three things I encourage you to consider:
1. Say the word abortion. Say you are pro-abortion. We have talked around this for so long … and it’s really hurt us.
2. Remind (or inform) anyone in your circles, that needs it, if the following: the only number that changes when abortion is illegal is how many womxn die, over and over for many years, polls have shown that a majority of our country has supported Roe, there is no “good” or “bad” reason to have an abortion - all reasons are enough, and the decision to make abortion a dividing political issue was an intentional and political move by the Moral Majority - in the years immediately pre-Reagan being elected, the Southern Baptist convention supported abortion as a private decision between a womxn and her doctor.
3. Google “Into Action GIFs” - they have a ton of free GIFs created by artists that you can share (on this and many other justice concerns).
Midwest babes! The Chicago Abortion Fund is working to expand and lend more help through fundraisers, especially those seeking abortion care from other states. (events: https://www.chicagoabortionfund.org/events), (etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChicagoAbortionFund) Hear more from Megan Jeyifo on the latest episode of City Cast Chicago for more details on the Chicago Abortion Fund-A-Thon 💋
Ohio Women's Alliance is a woman of color/grassroots-led 501(c)(3) in Columbus. They also have a 501(c)(4) called Ohio Women's Alliance Action Fund for more direct political action. Their founder started out working at Planned Parenthood and is one of Ohio's leading activists for all things social justice.
The good folks at Plan C (https://www.plancpills.org) are working to make sure people can access medication abortion from anywhere in the US, even states with hostile laws (or impending hostile laws). They have SUCH good information and are actively looking for people to volunteer as Information Ambassadors to help them spread it.
Also check out Abortion Access Front (https://www.aafront.org) and register to participate in their July 17th national teach-in, Operation Save Abortion. (They were formerly known as Lady Parts Justice League, but changed their name to reflect the need for abortion across genders.)
If you're a Redditor or other online forum frequenter, check out Online Abortion Resource Squad (onlineabortionresources.org) who comb Reddit for questions about abortion and provide a "quality, accurate, compassionate answer."
On instagram, follow @doposupport, @liberateabortion, @abortioncarenetwork, @forwardmidwifery, and @rethinkingreproductivehealth.
Speaking specifically for the Deep South (Mississippi Delta, Alabama & Louisiana), the Yellowhammer Fund (https://www.yellowhammerfund.org/) does a TON of work b/c there is little to no abortion access in those states & not everybody can get to Atlanta for the services they need. Their newsletters are very informative as well.
Trusted experts on the legal stuff: @AngryBlackLady, @Hegemommy & https://rewirenewsgroup.com/. I donate to the National Network of Abortion Funds: https://abortionfunds.org/.
This very helpful book is free to download right now: Handbook for a Post Roe America. I also follow the lead of Shout Your Abortion, and NNAF on these matters. https://www.sevenstories.com/blogs/227-free-ebook-the-new-handbook-for-a-post-roe-america
For any Michigan folks: https://mireproductivefreedom.org/ is a campaign to amend the Michigan Constitution to ensure the right to make and carry out decisions without political interference about all matters relating to pregnancy, including birth control, abortion, prenatal care, and childbirth via a ballot proposal for the November 2022 election. Michigan is a trigger state as it has an existing state law banning abortion which would go back into effect upon Roe being overturned. The campaign is gathering signatures for the petition as well as looking for volunteers. You can find a local petition signing event or volunteer via the link. There will be petitions to sign at the Ann Arbor (I know) farmer's market this weekend and Eastern Market in Detroit next weekend.
DOROTHY E. ROBERTS https://www.law.upenn.edu/faculty/roberts1/
This Atlantic article is informative: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/roe-v-wade-overturn-abortion-rights/629366/
Also helpful, this doc on How to Show up for Abortion Access: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQr3A9Xm603rBcrz91vm3JcYX5vIs1vNks6wUgkgE1D69qZfHchaYCvDDebibJDeT3CElNvhl5jG463/pub
My household will be participating in the Mother's Day strike by not spending any money for one week starting this Sunday. I have to work, and my husband is a stay-at-home parent, so the burden of unpaid care labor falls mainly to him. But we will not be opening our wallet for anyone for seven days and I hope that others do the same if they're able to.
https://www.mothersdaystrike.com/
This article from The Cut aggregates abortion funds by state and groups the states by how likely they will be affected by Roe being overturned: https://www.thecut.com/article/donate-abortion-fund-roe-v-wade-how-to-help.html. It also contains really helpful context for each state. There are also practical support orgs, like Brigid Alliance (https://brigidalliance.org/), that provide travel support for people who have to travel long distances to access abortion care.
I mostly want to say thank you for sharing this and for being explicit about not tolerating the b.s. Seeing this, in addition to IG posts by Kiese Laymon & Dante Stewart (in addition to all the people w vaginas I follow obvi) really warmed my heart today.
For anyone who needs it, Kiese Laymon’s post gives you permission to hate fiercely right now. I also regarded on my Instagram.
I drove for two hours today blasting “Nina cried power” over and over and cry-singing at the top of my lungs. If you aren’t familiar, it’s Hozier feat. Mavis Staples … features the line, “It’s not the wakin’. It’s the risin’.”
As for what to do, here are three things I encourage you to consider:
1. Say the word abortion. Say you are pro-abortion. We have talked around this for so long … and it’s really hurt us.
2. Remind (or inform) anyone in your circles, that needs it, if the following: the only number that changes when abortion is illegal is how many womxn die, over and over for many years, polls have shown that a majority of our country has supported Roe, there is no “good” or “bad” reason to have an abortion - all reasons are enough, and the decision to make abortion a dividing political issue was an intentional and political move by the Moral Majority - in the years immediately pre-Reagan being elected, the Southern Baptist convention supported abortion as a private decision between a womxn and her doctor.
3. Google “Into Action GIFs” - they have a ton of free GIFs created by artists that you can share (on this and many other justice concerns).
A good website for a sizable list of abortion funds: https://donations4abortion.com
Indigenous Women Rising has an abortion fund : https://www.iwrising.org/abortion-fund and a midwifery fund : https://www.iwrising.org/midwifery-fund When I can, I try donate to both because pregnant people deserve safe, empowering reproductive care whatever they choose.
Midwest babes! The Chicago Abortion Fund is working to expand and lend more help through fundraisers, especially those seeking abortion care from other states. (events: https://www.chicagoabortionfund.org/events), (etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChicagoAbortionFund) Hear more from Megan Jeyifo on the latest episode of City Cast Chicago for more details on the Chicago Abortion Fund-A-Thon 💋
Here are a couple Google docs with a whole bunch of info:
from @alisonturkos, How to Show Up for Abortion Access: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WUqUomhhzf1Weub1O-o1-l_R9r_QTxJ9lFkEuPUulqo/mobilebasic?urp=gmail_link
and from @helmsinki, Abortion Funds in Every State:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1T-aDTsZXnKhMcrDmtcD35aWs00gw5piocDhaFy5LKDY/mobilebasic?urp=gmail_link
Ohio Women's Alliance is a woman of color/grassroots-led 501(c)(3) in Columbus. They also have a 501(c)(4) called Ohio Women's Alliance Action Fund for more direct political action. Their founder started out working at Planned Parenthood and is one of Ohio's leading activists for all things social justice.
OWA:https://www.ohiowomensalliance.org/
OWA Action Fund: https://www.ohiowomensallianceactionfund.org/
SisterSong is a reproductive justice organization based in Atlanta (https://sistersong.nationbuilder.com/donate), and the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a network of organizations, also is based in Atlanta (https://www.mightycause.com/organization/Black-Mamas-Matter-Alliance).
Nice
Thank you, Saeed, for this thread!!
The good folks at Plan C (https://www.plancpills.org) are working to make sure people can access medication abortion from anywhere in the US, even states with hostile laws (or impending hostile laws). They have SUCH good information and are actively looking for people to volunteer as Information Ambassadors to help them spread it.
Also check out Abortion Access Front (https://www.aafront.org) and register to participate in their July 17th national teach-in, Operation Save Abortion. (They were formerly known as Lady Parts Justice League, but changed their name to reflect the need for abortion across genders.)
If you're a Redditor or other online forum frequenter, check out Online Abortion Resource Squad (onlineabortionresources.org) who comb Reddit for questions about abortion and provide a "quality, accurate, compassionate answer."
On instagram, follow @doposupport, @liberateabortion, @abortioncarenetwork, @forwardmidwifery, and @rethinkingreproductivehealth.
Interesting
Excellent resource for self managed abortion: https://twitter.com/andreagrimes/status/1521519591234580481?s=21&t=VHt8EdJpf3X7538ChxX35g
Here in OH our fund is Women Have Options: https://www.womenhaveoptions.org/
If you want merch, search bonfire! You can see which orgs are legit and the money goes to them directly
https://shoutyourabortion.com shout your abortion 💛
And Lizz Winstead, co-creator of the Daily Show, heads up a pro-choice advocacy group as well: https://twitter.com/lizzwinstead/status/1521643786862010370
https://www.thecut.com/article/donate-abortion-fund-roe-v-wade-how-to-help.html