What a week.
The collective rage that we share with you all is real and palpable, and in the days following the election, it has felt all-consuming. How do we move forward when the future feels so full of menace for ourselves, our friends, and anyone who dares to live their own lives authentically?
The way forward is together. Taking care of ourselves and our communities, and investing in the people who do the work regardless of election outcomes… and Abortion AF will be with you every step of the way. We’ve been through this before, and we’re ready to put our boots back on and make sure each and every person who wants to get involved has the knowledge and space to do so.
So take care of yourself first; grieve, mourn, wallow. Hell, fight with internet strangers in the comment sections if it gives you some measure of catharsis.
Then check out this FRIDAY’s Feminist Buzzkills podcast
To give you a bit of positivity to go with your rage, your Buzzkills have the brilliant Jessica Valenti (Abortion, Everyday) to talk about the political future of reproductive access! We’ve also invited our Abortion Access Front team to share your pain, their wisdom, and some HOPE. REMINDER: Our AAF squad of joyful warriors have valuable insights from living in and working to support abortion providers and reproductive access in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio for decades. They have made huge differences in those states and made wonderful relationships along the way.
Their wisdom and experience can help you through this shit and help us get our shit together to make meaningful change. SO LISTEN UP!
Fighting whatever comes next will take all of us – our collective liberation is bound together and will take one hell of a fight. Let’s fucking go.
Step One: Take Heart in the Wins
Everything feels heavy right now, but that doesn’t change the joy we are allowed to feel for the wins! Out of ten state abortion ballot initiatives, seven states voted to codify abortion rights! Voters in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, and New York did the damn thing and turned out to the polls to protect their abortion rights. No, this does not mean that the abortion bans and restrictions on the books are gone today, but this clears the way for abortion advocates to challenge and relegate them to the trash heap where they belong. We hope each and every single one of y’all that worked on these campaigns, signed petitions, and showed up to vote are feeling the love – YOU DESERVE IT!
The joy we feel for those states is equal only in the devastation we share with those who didn’t pass their amendment. We could not be more in awe of the work put in by abortion advocates in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Despite every dirty, bullshit trick pulled by anti-abortion administrations, the hate-filled rhetoric spewed by the anti-abortion extremists, and literal freaking hurricanes and natural disasters, they gave everything they had to protect abortion access in their communities. We know they are rightfully grieving, and we hope they feel just how proud we are of every last one of them.
Step Two: Take Steps To Help NOW
Here are some ways to plug in and invest in the communities and abortion seekers that will need it the most.
Florida
Under a 6-week ban, Florida funds have been inundated with requests – let’s step up and alleviate some of that burden. Our friends at Tampa Bay Abortion Fund, EMA Abortion Fund, ARC-Southeast, Florida Access Network, Women’s Emergency Network (WEN), and Broward Women’s Emergency Fund would love any support they can get!
Want to make it easier? Donate here, and funds will be distributed equally between all of them!
Nebraska
Not only did Nebraska not pass its pro-abortion amendment, they approved a measure that allows more abortion restrictions and enshrines the state’s current 12-week ban. Our amazing comrades at Nebraska Abortion Resources (NEAR) could use every ounce of support we can give – learn more about them here and help them meet the needs of abortion seekers!
South Dakota
After last night’s devastating loss, South Dakotans are forced to remain under a total abortion ban, and abortion seekers have to seek care outside of their state. Support Dakotans for Health, who fought so hard for abortion access. We know that the incredible folks at Prairie Abortion Fund, Justice Empowerment Network (JEN), and South Dakota Access for Every Woman are already out there making sure their community receives the abortion care it needs – please help them fund it!
OTHER WAYS YOU CAN FIGHT BACK!
Channel your fury into something good by checking out the Activist Calendar and getting your catharsis on!
If you need to find a provider near you, check out ineedana.com here. Send some love through our Adopt-a-Clinic program or Treat-a-Clinic Wishlist! Today and every day, we send providers all of our light and love.
We know exactly how y’all are feeling, and when shit gets bad, and you need the comfort of your community – we got you. The only way through this all is together.
WANT MORE AAF? You Got it!
- For the latest abobo news, follow us errywhere you social @abortionfront
- Pod with us! Subscribe to our hilarious weekly abortion podcast Feminist Buzzkills Drops Fridays wherever you pod.
- Video Hilarity! Laugh ‘til ya pee watching our bounty of comedy videos.
Holding each other close, friends.
