Plus: Mourning the loss of a long-time repro movement leader

Here’s another edition of Hard to Believe It’s Only Tuesday, a weekly roundup of the top headlines, tweets, toks, takes, and more in abortion news. You can always email me (andrea.grimes@gmail.com, or grimesandrea@proton.me for more sensitive inquiries) or DM me on instagram with action items, takes, and news clips. This post is probably too long for email, so click the headline above or head to the HTBIOT page to get the full read in your browser, because you don’t want to miss this week’s Goodnight and Good Dunk!

🎂 PROGRAMMING NOTE: I’m turning 40 (!) in a couple of days and to celebrate, I’m going on vacation (London! Paris!) next week to see one of my all-time favorite music acts, do a live Peloton ride with Sam Yo, and drink many pints. In terms of how this will affect my publishing schedule: You’ll probably get an early edition of HTBIOT at the end of this week, as I’d like to follow up on whatever happens in Ohio, but depending on the jet lag situation upon my return, I may not send another issue out until after Thanksgiving.

The big takeaway: It’s probably a total coincidence that Ohio’s anti-abortion Republican Secretary of State, Frank LaRose, purged 26,000 voters from the rolls just in time for Ohioans to head to the polls tomorrow to vote on the Issue 1 constitutional amendment on abortion rights. Surely could not be part of the mass, desperate panic to silence Buckeye State residents who support abortion rights.

And: Repro organizers are mourning the sudden loss of the National Institute for Reproductive Health’s Andrea Miller, a much-beloved and forward-thinking advocate. It was an honor to occasionally be confused for her on Zoom calls and listservs.

The Top Headlines

• “Infant Deaths Have Risen for the First Time in 20 Years” (NYT)
• “Nearly 27,000 Ohioans purged from voting rolls: Here’s how to see if your name was included” (WKYC)
• “If Abortion Measure Fails, Ohioans on Parole And Probation Could Face Graver Restrictions” (Bolts)
• “Iowa’s governor opposes abortion — and has the final say on whether Medicaid pays for it” (The 19th)
• “Senate hopeful Durant signals interest in going beyond 15 weeks on abortion” (Richmond Times-Dispatch) — You don’t have to believe me when I tell you that anti-abortion politicians aren’t going to stop at a 15 week ban, just listen to what they say when they think you aren’t listening.
• “Major Opponent to Ohio’s Issue 1 Has Ties to Leonard Leo and Other Extreme Anti-Abortion Group” (Ms.)
• “A mom and son are charged in Idaho after a teen is taken to Oregon for an abortion” (AP/NPR) — As ever, I encourage folks to be extremely mindful and careful about what you share around alleged cases of abortion criminalization. Look to repro legal experts, like the folks at If/When/How and Pregnancy Justice, for context and guidance.
• “Indiana Supreme Court reprimands Rokita over televised abortion doctor comments, in split decision” (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
• “GOP senators warn new Speaker on abortion” (The Hill)

• 👩🏽‍⚕️ What’s happening with clinical abortion care, providers, medication abortion, and such:
  • “Are Utah hospitals prepared to handle patients seeking abortion care? Here’s what a new study says.” (Salt Lake Tribune) — The study says they are not prepared.
  • “Abortion debate is affecting access to drug used after miscarriages” (WaPo) — The medicine in question is mifepristone.

• 🇺🇸 What politicians and politicos on the national stage are doing and saying about abortion in advance of the ‘24 election:
  • “Biden joins Virginia Democrats’ fundraising push with abortion restrictions at stake” (ABC News)
  • “Majority of likely GOP caucusgoers disagree with Trump’s abortion comments” (Iowa Capital Dispatch)

• ⚖️ What’s going on with abortion bans, legal challenges, and bills at the state and local levels:
  • 🟢 “‘Disproven and unsupportable’: Kansas judge blocks junk science abortion restrictions” (Kansas Reflector)
  • 🟢 “Providers can sue over Arizona ban on abortion for genetic anomalies -court” (Reuters)
  • 🟢 “[Nebraska] Abortion rights advocates file initiative petition language, but they’re mum on its exact content” (Nebraska Examiner)
  • 🟢 “Appeals court swats down Ashcroft arguments on Missouri abortion rights petitions” (Missouri Independent)
  • 🟢 “Democrats propose eliminating Wisconsin abortion restrictions, requiring all-options counseling” (Wisconsin Examiner)
  • 🟡 “Democratic-led Michigan House passes pared-down abortion rights package” (Michigan Advance)
  • 🟡 “FL’s abortion access is in limbo, but lawmakers are filing proposals for next year’s session“ (Florida Phoenix)
  • 🔴 “[Florida] GOP Attorney General Moody on abortion-rights initiative: A ‘misleading’ bid to ‘hoodwink’ voters” (Florida Phoenix)

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The Takes

• A minister in Columbus, OH is in the Columbus Dispatch writing about some of the awful messages he’s received after appearing in an ad supporting Ohio’s abortion rights amendment. Writes Rev. Tim Ahrens: “The hate and cruelty of these communications has been staggering. All of these have come from ‘Christians’ who have taken it upon themselves to be judge and jury over my eternal soul. The people opposing Issue 1 have shown me their true colors – hate in the name of Jesus.”

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The Tweets/Toks/Grams

• Abortion exceptions aren’t! Via the Mississippi Reproductive Freedom Fund’s Laurie Bertram-Roberts:

Lynn Fitch is a bold face liar.
In over a decade of working in abortion rights in Mississippi I've yet to see someone get an exemption.
Not for medicaid funding pre-Dobbs and not for an abortion now.
Ask Lynn who the doctors are providing and what's the pathway? https://t.co/b7uBNsSfH5

— Laurie Bertram Roberts-Abortion Pills Are Safe (@smartstatistic) November 4, 2023

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The Fuck Are We Supposed to Do About It?

• 👕 SWAG OF THE WEEK! 👕
  • This hilarious/cute “pro possum, pro abortion” swag — I’ve opted for the purple tee, myself — benefits the Women’s Health Center of West Virginia.
• 🤠 Texas: A coalition of repro advocacy groups in Texas are hosting the Texas Abortion Advocacy Academy, with trainings to start Tuesday, November 7th. Sign up here.
• ✊🏿 All over: Here’s a whole week’s worth of advocacy and learning opportunities from In Our Own Voice between Tuesday, November 7-Saturday, November 11th.
• 🪧 Atlanta: The Black Family March is Friday, November 10th.
• 💻 Anywhere: I Need An A‘s next volunteer day is Monday, November 13th. Sign up here to help review data for their database!
• 🎵 Charleston: The first-annual Feminist Music Bash on Wednesday, November 15th benefits the Palmetto State Abortion Fund.
• 🧁 Denton, TX: The Texas Equal Access Fund’s Bakers for Babies Bake Sale on Sunday, November 19th benefits their upcoming infant care resource drive.
• 👶🏼 Dallas, TX: The Texas Equal Access Fund’s infant care resource drive is Saturday, December 16th.
• 🔬 Anywhere, for abortion fund leaders: Participate in a UCSF study!
• 🦺 St. Louis area: Illinois’ Hope Clinic is looking for clinic escorts. Here’s how to learn more.
• 🚗 Kentucky: The Kentucky Health Justice Network is looking for volunteer drivers and case managers. Here’s where to sign up.
• 📱 North Texas: The Texas Equal Access Fund is looking for bilingual Spanish-speaking volunteers for their text line. Here’s where to sign up.
• 📥 Anywhere: Looking for a job in repro? ReproJobs can help you spruce up your resume.
• 🤠 Texas: Local teen-friendly businesses in in Bryan, College Station, Lubbock, or San Angelo can become pickup spots for repro kits assembled by Jane’s Due Process. Here’s the application form.
• ⛰️ Southwestern Virginia and Appalachia: The New River Abortion Access Fund is looking for volunteers.
• 🗳️ Anywhere, U.S.: Hey Jane x Vote America helps prep voters to support pro-abortion policies and candidates

• 💸 From your wallet:
  • The IPPF and the Palestinian Family Planning Association are attempting to provide care for tens of thousands of pregnant people in Gaza; learn more here and donate/spread the word.
  • Here’s the verified crowdfunding page for “Ashley,” the 13-year-old mother who was denied abortion care in Mississippi and profiled in TIME magazine.
  • Donate to support the Austin Women’s Health Center and their essential repro health services, including miscarriage management and abortion referrals.
  • Donate $$ and pads to Just the Pill’s mobile clinic.
  • Here’s the verified crowdfunding page for the family of Samara, a 17-year-old in San Antonio and Buckle Bunnies Fund patient who died from repro health complications.
  • The Valley Abortion Group is a new all-trimester abortion facility fundraising to open in New Mexico — donate to the GoFundMe.
  • Donate to the Online Abortion Resource Squad, which supports the R/Abortion subreddit 24/7/365.
  • Donate to Elevated Access, which transports folks for abortion and gender-affirming care.
  • Donate to ensure Desert Star Family Planning in Phoenix can keep providing essential abortion care to folks in the Southwest.
  • Find your local abortion fund and donate.
  • Buy something off the wishlist of an independent clinic, abortion fund, or clinic defense group, or donate to support abortion funds. This link distributes your donation to 90+ funds around the country. Or donate to support independent abortion providers.

• 🎙️ Podcasts!
  • Rewire’s Boom! Lawyered
  • Access, a podcast about abortion
  • Repro Legal Defense Fund’s No Body Criminalized
  • The Population Institute‘s rePROS Fight Back
  • Abortion Access Front‘s Feminist Buzzkills Podcast

• ✍🏿 Sign and share:
  • Anywhere: Sign this multi-org-backed petition demanding Google stop “collecting and retaining location data and aiding abortion prosecutors.”
  • Anywhere: sign the Fight for the Future petition to demand better digital safety and security on Slack!
  • Anywhere: Sign the RJ Response to Stop Cop City.
  • Anywhere: UltraViolet’s petition calling on pharmacies to provide medication abortion access where it’s legal to do so.

• 🔎 Abortion Resources
  • ⚕️ Abortion providers, rights, and support:
    • Looking for a clinical abortion provider? AbortionFinder and INeedAnA are trustworthy and updated regularly.
    • Here’s the National Immigration Law Center’s know-your-rights-guide to abortion access for immigrants.
    • Abortions Welcome is a “pro-choice spiritual companion for use before, during, and after abortion.”
    • Want to become a practical support volunteer helping folks access abortion? Read this essential FAQ from Apiary first.
  • 📚 Research:
    • Here’s If/When/How‘s new report on the criminalization of self-managed abortion between 2000-2020.
    • New research from Pregnancy Justice looks at the data behind rising criminalization of pregnancy.
    • Here’s new research from Gynuity on the safety and effectiveness of misoprostol-only medication abortion.
    • Read Dr. Autumn Asher BlackDeer’s report, “Towards an Indigenous Reproductive Justice: Examining Attitudes on Abortion among American Indian and Alaska Native Communities.”
    • Here’s new research on abortion access for incarcerated folks.
  • 🗣️ Communicating about abortion:
    • Check out the ANSIRH On Screen program’s latest resource sheet and recommendations on abortion portrayals in film and television.
    • Who Not When’s guide to reporting on later abortion is just great.
    • Check out the “Pro Choice, But” campaign to better understand how to talk with folks who are, well, pro-choice … but.
    • Read this guide on using trans-inclusive language from ARC-Southeast and the Transgender Law Center.
    • REPRO Rising Virginia has a thorough guide-via-Twitter-thread to keeping your protest signs fresh.
    • Physicians for Reproductive Health’s wide-ranging messaging guide covers all kinds of topics in repro and abortion care.
  • 🚓 Abortion and pregnancy criminalization:
    • Read this solidarity + organizing brief from Interrupting Criminalization and a coalition of repro and anti-criminalization orgs.
    • The Repro Legal Defense Fund and the Community Justice Exchange have an extensive, attractive, and fact-filled guide to abortion criminalization in both English and Spanish.
    • 🏠 Self-managed abortion:
      • If/When/How’s Repro Legal Helpline guide to internet safety.
      • Plan C Pills has published a self-managed abortion field guide in super fun, accessible zine form.
      • The Digital Defense Fund has a useful guide to keeping your abortion private and secure.
      • This gorgeous slideshow from South Texans for Reproductive Justice!
      • Check out the SMAZine from Urge and LiberalJane.

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Goodnight and good dunk — Once again and forever, “post-birth abortions” are not a thing.

People who don’t understand how babies are born should not talk about how babies are born #AbortionIsHealthcare https://t.co/QMXwbATqCG

— (((Tara Dublin))), Rock Star Author 📚❤️‍🔥🤘🏻 (@taradublinrocks) November 5, 2023

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That’s all for this week. I’m sure I’ve missed something you’d like to see featured in this roundup, for I am but one woman with a computer and an abortion-news-induced drinking problem. Holler at me — andrea.grimes@gmail.com or grimesandrea@proton.me for more sensitive inquiries, or DM me on Instagram, and I’ll try to add follow-ups as I’m able.

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