F*ck SCOTUS, We’re Doing it Anyway!
PROJECTION AND PHOTO BY THE ILLUMINATOR, NEW YORK, 2022
Whew, I certainly needed the weekend to detach, refresh and collect myself after Friday’s SCOTUS release...
I’m sure you’ve seen the news and have circulated the decision made by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). We anticipated this outcome based on the draft leak by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on May 2nd. This decision will allow anti-abortion politicians in states across the country to ban abortion in 26 states, and force countless people to remain pregnant and have children against their will. It’s disgusting, unbelievable, and actually, very “on-brand” for the U.S.
As you’re reading this, "trigger ban" states have immediately set their abortion restrictions in motion. I guess they couldn’t wait ‘til the ink dried on the ruling… *rolls eyes*. Some of you may be feeling outraged, wronged, and rightfully overwhelmed by the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Others may be experiencing their very first moment of activism. Whether this is your pivotal moment as an organizer or a devastating reality-check, just know this—F*ck SCOTUS, we’re doing it anyway!
As someone who’s had an abortion, I must admit that I never saw this coming. I never thought that SCOTUS would bring us to the point of forcing pregnant people across the nation to claw their way into the closest abortion clinic (which, for many, won’t be all that close). I was dumbfounded when I heard of the ruling, but then I remembered… this is the same ruling that only protected the most privileged, the most fortunate among us. In many states, abortion has always been out of reach for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, also queer and trans people, poor people, and folks who live in states with only two abortion clinics in operation.
Marginalized people have been living in post-Roe well before this decision, and organizations have been navigating around these barriers for decades. If these states want to implement restrictions or downright ban abortion, then let’s play ball!
Read on to ignite the activists in you and visit my Resource Page here.
What This Means for Abortion Access Broadly and What You Should be Doing:
We Will Never Stop Supporting Abortions! Here’s Our Plan
Start the Conversation About Abortion and Educate As Much As Possible.
Calling All Businesses: Here’s Where You Enter the Fight
1. Abortion Is Still Accessible
It’s not always clear how or if you can get an abortion because of obstacles that make abortion hard to access near you. Although these restrictions are unnecessary and disproportionately impact communities of color, young people, and those with low income, help is still available to get you the care you need, want, and deserve.
To find a clinic near you, check out Abortion Finder, an online directory created by abortion advocates, organizers, and physicians. It’s user-friendly and is constantly updated to reflect state laws so you’re always in the know! Another great resource is I Need An Abortion, which was created by grassroots organizers who have sourced, vetted, and updated the clinic information to ensure transparent access to abortion clinic information. If you or someone you know needs help getting an abortion, see my Resource Page for a full list.
If you’re thinking, “Gee, what about the patients who can’t travel? Are they forced to take drastic measures? Or worse, remain pregnant, go broke, or risk their life going into labor?”
Short answer: Hell naw!
Long answer: As I’ve said previously, local organizations, badass organizers, and other advocates have been preparing for this very scenario. If a patient can’t access a surgical abortion within their state, and they’re just under 11 weeks in pregnancy, advocates have created whole-ass organizations so patients can receive abortion pills from the comfort of their own home! Click here to find out what abortion pills are. Click here to find a section on organizations that provide abortion pills and can help you understand the process.
2. We Will Never Stop Supporting Abortion. Here's Our Plan
Now Is the Time to Ignite the Activist In You
Some abortion bans are targeting abortion providers (the person who provides the abortion) or anyone who “aids and abets” an abortion. Aid and abetting could look like; driving your friend to the abortion clinic, sharing resources on abortion care, or even funding someone’s procedure. In Texas, where abortion is completely banned, the state allows any citizen to sue a person for aiding and abetting. Meaning that your Lyft driver, who drops you and the patient off at the abortion clinic, could sue you.
It’s really crazy out here, but guess what, we won’t stand for this! Mobilizing regular citizens to become vigilantes against abortion is crossing the freaking line (in the midst of many lines these state politicians have already crossed). As a response, many pro-abortion organizations are saying “Fuck it! We’re doing it anyway!” Aiding and abetting abortion is a moral imperative and a project which cannot be left to activists alone. Abortion access is a community responsibility and requires wide participation.
So if you’re ready, click here to find a toolkit and instructions on how to aid and abet abortion by Shout Your Abortion. There’s an explanation of everything you need to know, social media graphics, and more! Also, I’ve got the swag for your activism. See the newest aiding and abetting T-shirt from my store!
Important: I won’t lie to you, people from communities that experience heightened levels of policing and state surveillance will be at an increased risk of criminalization. So Black folks, immigrant communities, people with low income in urban areas, and certainly LGBTQ+ people should be careful and consider this reality moving forward. I would suggest allowing our allies (white, cis-straight people of higher economic status) to step up to the plate and use their privileges as a tool for change!
3. Start the Conversation About Abortion and Educate As Much As Possible
Many people are wondering how we got here and what they can do. Well, we’ve gotten here because of many factors, but the heavy hitters are: Not voting in your local elections for a pro-abortion politician, Staying silent about abortion issues or allowing misinformation to circulate, Viewing these issues as a “women’s issue” which ignores the need for other folks to get involved (this also keeps the experiences of trans and gender non-conforming patients from adding to the conversation about abortion access).
DO uplift these talking points when starting these conversations:
When people can get the abortion they want, both they and their children do better, for years to come. We should be prioritizing the decision that works best for that patient.
When we deny people abortion care, it causes real, lasting harm to families and children. Denying care, no matter if it’s abortion or not, can affect that family’s ability to work, live and support the family they have. These economic and emotional repercussions impact everyone involved.
Compared to people who are denied the abortion they seek, people who receive a wanted abortion:
are healthier
are more financially stable
set and achieve more ambitious goals
raise children under more stable conditions
are confident their decision was right for them, and
are more likely to have a wanted child later.
For more information on the effects of patients who are denied abortion care, take a look at this factsheet by the TurnAway Study, or visit their website here.
DO NOT uplift these talking points/narratives:
“This is a woman’s right! Woman this….Women that…” - We need to ditch gendered language about abortion, please. Trans and nonbinary people have abortions. It costs us nothing to include everyone. Some good alternatives: “pregnant people…” “unwanted pregnancies” “this is a reproductive health issue” and “abortion bans affect everyone!”
“Pregnant people will die from unsafe/back alley abortions” - This isn’t the 70s y’all, cut it out with the coathanger imagery! We have so many more resources, technology, and alternatives to unsafe surgical abortions. Instead of this narrative, spread the word about self-managed abortions (abortion pills) and how patients in any state can receive them. Click here to read more about abortion pills. Click here, scroll down and find the section on organizations that provide abortion pills and can help you understand the process.
“People shouldn’t wait until they’re that far along in the pregnancy to seek an abortion” - Okay, this one gets on my nerves. Do you know how many barriers patients have to overcome JUST to get an appointment? Now that states, like Texas, have completely banned abortion, patients have to spend weeks gathering the money to catch a flight! Cut this narrative because abortions at any stage of pregnancy should be supported. Check out the Abortion Care Reality Project to learn the truth about abortions later in pregnancy.
4. Calling All Businesses: Here's Where You Enter the Fight
Reproductive health is a workforce issue. Always has been and forever will be!
Your Employer should understand that restricting access to comprehensive reproductive care, including abortion, threatens the health, independence, and economic stability of its workers and the customers it serves. Far too long have companies ignored the impact of these restrictions and I saw it for myself during my time as a clinic health worker. Patients would be denied Paid Family Leave because the Employer refused to recognize abortion as a necessary medical expense and emotional journey. Oftentimes, the patient was expected to return to work that very same day!
This is bullshit and a testament to just HOW MUCH abortion patients go through to receive the care, respect, and support they deserve. The Supreme Court decision has already had national repercussions on the workforce, and business plays a pivotal role in mitigating the harm to their employees. Here’s what you can do:
Urge your employer to speak up on these issues. Start these conversations by checking out the #3 bullet point above. You never know which coworker, colleague, or friend needs to hear the correct information on abortion. There’s a ton of misinformation out there so dedicate this time to set the record straight!
Companies are invited to sign on to Don’t Ban Equality. As your company responds to the fall of Roe, you are invited to join Don’t Ban Equality to publicly demonstrate your commitment to workers, consumers, and investors. Circulate this link to the head of Human Resources or your Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to get more information on how you can stand in solidarity. #dontbanequality
DONATE and DEFUND! As a major corporation or even a small business, it is your responsibility to ensure that your values and actions reflect the needs of your community. Abortion funds have worked for decades to help their communities navigate barriers to abortion care and are the driving force in securing money, lodging, and even childcare for patients in need. Find one in your area that could use your open support and donation or click here to donate to all of them at once. Remember, $100 could pay for a patient to travel across state lines to the closest abortion clinic. $300 covers travel and a hotel stay for someone in need and $500 takes care of the cost of the abortion procedure. Pro-tip: space out your donation by becoming a monthly donor. A $500 donation is only $41.67 per month. Thank me later!
Next, make sure you aren’t financially supporting political parties and larger platforms that actively restrict access, spread misinformation, or contribute to the closure of abortion clinics. Research your vendors and charities, and defund your contributions. If you don’t know who the top funders of anti-abortion platforms are, don’t worry, we’ve got the receipts! Check out this campaign that outlines which corporations to defund!
Remember: Abortion is okay! Abortion is safe and common, and you should be able to get care when you need it. You should have the support of your government officials, state representatives, your employer, and your loved ones when you decide what’s best for you.