Fight For Choice: Taking Action Against Abortion Laws

The right to abortion is a highly contested topic, with many people around the world facing barriers to accessing safe and legal abortions. These barriers include criminalisation, social stigma, and intersectional discrimination and marginalisation. In some countries, abortion is banned, while in others, it is only allowed under specific circumstances. These restrictions hurt people who already face discriminatory obstacles to healthcare, such as people of colour, people with disabilities, people in rural areas, young people, and immigrants.

There are several ways to take action and fight for abortion rights. Firstly, individuals can speak out and share their support for abortion access on social media, with friends, and with family. This helps to end the stigma surrounding abortion and creates a powerful force for change. Additionally, individuals can donate to and support abortion funds and reproductive justice organisations, which help patients access abortions and provide other resources such as transportation and lodging. Getting in contact with legislators and making your support for abortion rights known is also crucial. Joining organisations that fight for abortion rights, such as Planned Parenthood, and amplifying their messages on social media can also help to strengthen the movement. Finally, sharing your own story and experiences with abortion can help destigmatise abortion and show support for those affected by restrictive laws.

Share your story

Sharing your story is a powerful way to take action against abortion laws and help others going through similar experiences. Here are some ways you can share your story:

Speak to Your Friends and Family

Talk to your friends, family, and social media followers about why access to abortion is important to you. Speaking out will encourage others to share their stories and support, helping to end the stigma surrounding abortion. The more voices that unite, the stronger the force for change.

Post on Social Media

Use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to share your story and amplify your reach. You can make a simple statement like "Abortion is healthcare," share content from other advocates, or use relevant hashtags such as #BansOffOurBodies, #WhateverTheReason, or #AbortionIsEssential. Repost and engage with content from other abortion rights supporters to further amplify the message.

Record and Share Your Video Story

If you're comfortable, consider recording and sharing your abortion story via video. While this can be intimidating, it can also be a powerful way to connect with others. You can find step-by-step guides and tips for preparing and recording your story online. Watching other people's stories can also provide inspiration and support.

Submit Your Story in Writing

If you prefer, you can submit your story in writing to various platforms or publications. Your written story can reach and impact others who may be experiencing similar situations.

Connect with Organisations

Get involved with organisations that are actively fighting for reproductive justice and abortion rights, such as Planned Parenthood, SisterSong, The Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, We Testify, and The Afiya Center. These organisations provide valuable resources, support, and opportunities to get involved.

Remember, sharing your story can help break the stigma surrounding abortion and empower others to speak up. It is important to know that you are not alone, and your story can make a significant difference in the fight for abortion rights.

Donate to abortion funds

Donating to abortion funds is a direct way to help protect and expand abortion access. Abortion funds are grassroots organisations that support people seeking abortion access. They help patients who can't afford an abortion to pay for their care, and may sometimes provide other resources like transportation, lodging, and childcare.

There are nearly 100 abortion funds in the National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) alone. The NNAF is committed to the vision of accessible abortion and unlimited reproductive choices. You can visit their website to connect with your local abortion fund and make a donation.

If you're worried about whether a fund is legitimate, you can check with the IRS's online database to see if an organisation is registered. You can also find out if your donation is tax-deductible and if the fund is operating as a non-profit or 501c3. It's important to research the organisation to ensure that your money is going to the right causes.

• Access Reproductive Care-Southeast (ARC Southeast): Provides funding and logistical support for safe reproductive care, including abortion services, in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
• Kentucky Health Justice Network: Offers financial assistance, transportation, and more to those seeking abortions. They also host workshops on reproductive justice to spread awareness.
• Whole Woman's Health Alliance - Stigma Relief Fund: Assists those who cannot afford an abortion and helps fight the stigma around abortions.
• The Afiya Center (TAC): Based in North Texas, this centre is founded and directed by Black women, providing resources for reproductive justice, HIV, abortion access education, and maternal mortality.
• Carolina Abortion Fund (CAF): Works with clinics in North and South Carolina to provide grants to patients who cannot afford the full cost of an abortion.

Support reproductive justice organisations

Supporting reproductive justice organisations is a vital way to take action against abortion laws and protect reproductive rights. Here are some ways to do this:

SisterSong: Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective

SisterSong is the largest national multi-ethnic reproductive justice collective in the US. You can become a member and follow their work by joining them on Facebook and Instagram. By joining, you will be able to amplify the voices and experiences of women of colour, who often face extra barriers to abortion access due to systemic racism and discrimination.

The Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice

This organisation builds Latina/o power to fight for the fundamental human right to reproductive health, dignity, and justice. Join their email list and follow them on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed and show your support. By amplifying their message, you can help address the specific challenges that the Latina/o community faces in accessing reproductive healthcare.

We Testify

We Testify amplifies the stories and voices of people of colour, LGBTQ+ people, and others who have had abortions. Get involved and follow them on Instagram to help share these important stories. By elevating the narratives of those who are often marginalised, you can help humanise the fight for reproductive justice and show the real-life impact of abortion laws.

The Afiya Centre

Based in Texas, the Afiya Centre helps Black women overcome disparities in health access. You can volunteer and follow them on Instagram to support their work. By taking action with the Afiya Centre, you can help address the specific challenges that Black women face due to systemic racism and the impact of intersecting identities.

The Center for Reproductive Rights

The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global legal advocacy organisation dedicated to advancing reproductive rights as fundamental human rights. You can support their work by donating and staying informed about their latest court victories, legal policy work, and advocacy efforts. They address issues that protect and advance women's reproductive health, self-determination, and dignity as basic human rights.

The National Organization for Women (NOW)

NOW is a long-standing organisation that advocates for women's rights and reproductive justice. They provide a "Take Action Checklist" on their website, offering concrete steps for activists to take. This includes information on vital legislation, such as the Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022. They also provide sample scripts and contact information for reaching out to elected officials at both the state and federal levels. Additionally, they offer a digital toolkit for speaking out on social media and details on how to become a clinic escort to support those seeking abortions.

Share your support on social media

Social media platforms have become a new battleground in the fight for reproductive rights. Here are some ways to share your support for the fight against abortion laws on social media:

Use hashtags and join conversations

Join ongoing conversations on social media by using relevant hashtags such as #ReproFreedom. This will help you connect with others who share your views and allow your posts to reach a wider audience.

Share motivational messages and slogans

Share powerful and impactful slogans such as "Forced Motherhood = Female Enslavement" and "LEGAL ABORTION On Demand & Without Apology Nationwide!" on your social media profiles. These messages can help spread awareness and inspire others to join the fight for abortion rights.

Create and share graphics

Visual content often attracts more attention on social media. Create graphics with powerful messages or statistics supporting abortion rights. Share these graphics on your social media profiles and encourage others to do the same.

Host or join online events

Use social media platforms to host or join online events, such as virtual house parties or meetings, to discuss abortion rights and build a community of like-minded individuals. These events can be a safe space for people to share their experiences and ideas, as well as plan further actions.

Share reliable information and resources

It is important to share accurate and reliable information about abortion. Provide resources for people seeking abortions, such as websites where they can learn about self-managed abortions and order safe, authentic pills. However, be cautious as some platforms may remove certain types of information or content related to abortion.

Call out social media companies

Social media companies play a crucial role in protecting user privacy and reproductive rights. Call out these companies and demand that they take immediate steps to protect user data, enable greater privacy protections, and clarify their policies regarding the discussion of reproductive rights.

Contact your legislators

Contacting your legislators is a great way to make your voice heard and ensure that your representatives know your stance on abortion laws. Here are some tips on how to effectively contact your legislators and urge them to take action:

Writing a Letter or Email:

• Address only one subject or piece of legislation per letter.
• Clearly state what action you want the legislator to take (e.g., sponsor, oppose, vote for, or investigate).
• Keep your letter concise and to the point, preferably within one page.
• Provide good reasons to support your request.
• If appropriate, send a thank-you letter after the legislator has taken the desired action.

When addressing your letter, use the following format:

> The Honorable [Full Name]

> [Room #] [Name of] Senate/House Office Building

> United States Senate/House of Representatives

> Washington, DC 20510/20515

You can find your Senator or Representative's contact information using the following links:

• Http://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/How_to_contact_senators.htm
• Http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Making a Phone Call:

• Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your Senator's or Representative's office.
• Ask to speak to the aide who handles the issue you are calling about.
• Clearly state your name and the reason for your call, providing a brief message about what action you would like the legislator to take.
• Provide concise and compelling reasons to support your position.

Remember, your legislators are there to represent you and your community. By contacting them and sharing your thoughts on abortion laws, you can help shape the legislative process and ensure that your voice is heard.

Frequently asked questions