It has been one week since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Health Women’s Organization overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, removing all federal protections for abortion access. In this past week, we have already seen states moving quickly to severely restrict or outright ban abortion care; as of today, there are five states where abortion is illegal. For up-to-date information on state laws, use this resource from the Center for Reproductive Rights.  

As an advocate, one of the most important actions you can take right now is to talk about abortion with your friends, loved ones, and communities. As more and more states move to ban abortion, it is up to all of us to normalize abortion care and prevent the spread of misinformation so that everyone can access the information that they need. Here are a few top-line messages to keep in mind as you connect in person and on social media:

1. People of all genders have abortions. It is important to remember that trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive people need and deserve abortion care, too. Bodily autonomy is a human right, no matter who you are, and we must be inclusive of all people in our work. Remember to use language and imagery that doesn’t center cis-women. 
2. Abortion is safe, and the advent of abortion pills means that people can safely self-manage their abortions. Avoid using coat hanger imagery and phrases like “back-alley abortion.” These are outdated, sensationalist terms that perpetuate the myth that so-called “illegal” abortions are unsafe. Instead, share resources such as  plancpills.org and ineedana.com . 
3. Abortion bans will disproportionately harm communities that already face barriers to care, including Black and Brown communities. Sharing Handmaid’s Tale imagery or calling for an “underground railroad” ignores the history of reproductive violence and racism against Black people, especially Black women, in this country. 
4. Abortion funds and practical support organizations have been helping people access abortion care for years. A lot of us are feeling angry, helpless, and want to take action and do what it takes to get ensure that people are able to access abortion if it is illegal/inaccessible in their state. Instead of reinventing the wheel, tap into your local abortion fund or practical support organization – they know what they’re doing!

Want to learn more about abortion? Please join us for an Abortion 101 myth-busting workshop on Thursday, July 14 at 9am PST/12pm EST. This is a non-clinical workshop led by clinicians that will help you better understand the different abortion options and how to talk about abortion with your people! RSVP here.

For more resources on talking about abortion, check out the following from our partners:

• The Liberate Abortion Guide for Advocates: Do’s & Don’ts
• ACLU’s “Your Mini Guide to Discussing Abortion Rights at Your Summer Barbecue”
• Learn how to have meaningful conversations about abortion to help end stigma and counter disinformation with Pro-Choice Washington’s How To Talk About Abortion. 
• Physicians for Reproductive Health’s Resources for Journalists Reporting on Abortion is a great general resource on how to talk about abortion.
• “What’s An Abortion Anyway?” Written by Carly Manes and illustrated by Mar, this children’s book provides medically-accurate, non-judgmental, and gender-inclusive information on abortion. 
• Check out We Testify, an organization dedicated to uplifting the stories and leadership of people who have had abortions.

Thank you for continuing to work with us as we destigmatize abortion.