Late Monday night, a leaked draft decision from the United States Supreme Court confirmed what many in the reproductive justice and abortion rights movement have known: Roe v Wade (1973) will be overturned, making abortion care extremely restricted and in some cases, illegal throughout the U.S.
While this was anticipated by many reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations, it doesn’t take away the worry of how this will disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and low-income people, youth, queer people, and others that live at the margins. And not just from a health care perspective.
The decision isn’t final yet, and most likely won’t be until Summer 2022. Presently, 26 states have laws in place that are poised to ban abortion procedures. Called “trigger laws” , these states will move to outlaw abortion the second Roe falls.
Until then, access to abortion care is still a constitutional right in the United States. Depending on where you are in the States, access has been dwindling for some time now. Instead of supporting paid family leave, universal health care, subsidized child care, and other economic and financial safety nets, legislators continue to restrict our right to access. And there’s no coincidence that states with the most restrictive abortion policies also have fewer policies supporting pregnancy, children, and families.
My consulting business began as a blog for me to share my thoughts about feminism and reproductive justice. At the core of the work remains the fundamental belief that everyone has the right to access whatever health care they need, and to determine their sexual and reproductive lives.
Do your part to raise your voice anyone that needs an abortion by supporting your local abortion fund.
Elections have consequences, and who we vote for at the local and state level is just as important as voting for the presidency.
There are several actions you can take:
- 2022 is a midterms election season. Support legislators in your state that have a demonstrated advocacy and voting history of supporting reproductive rights and justice, including abortion access. With the likelihood of Roe v. Wade overturning this summer, it will fall on our elected officials at all levels of government to determine the legality and accessibility of abortion
- Donate or volunteer for organizations in your state and community that advocate for or provide abortion care
- Donate to and volunteer for your local abortion fund
In fact, supporting your local abortion fund is an immediate action you can take now.
An abortion fund is an independent organization that provide funding to get an abortion. Some funds also help with travel, lodging, child care, dollar and translation services. Abortion funds work within their state and across regions and countries in the likelihood that a person has to travel away from home to get their abortion. Find your local fund through the National Network of Abortion Funds.
National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF) builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice. Under NNAF, there are over 90 funds.
NNAF provides a FAQ on abortion funds, how to contact them, and how they work. It’s also important to note that many abortion funds are small and are run by a small staff or even volunteers. They could really use our support.
Donate or volunteer to your local abortion fund
