Plus: Brace for new abortion bans and restrictions incoming as state legislatures gavel in
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!
The big takeaway: Great, great news out of Ohio! A grand jury refused to indict Brittany Watts on charges related to her 2023 miscarriage. She told a crowd at a support rally on the day the news broke: “I want to thank my community — Warren. Warren, Ohio. I was born here. I was raised here. I graduated high school here, and I’m going to continue to stay here because I have to continue to fight.”
Of course, Watts should never, ever have been targeted for prosecution in the first place — she was reported by a medical worker, as many people prosecuted for pregnancy loss are. We must remain vigilant, and remember that the criminalization of pregnancy is not only a threat in states with abortion bans. It’s a nationwide risk, and there are lots of ways we can be ready to fight back:
- Know the abortion laws in your state
- Familiarize yourself with the broader issue of pregnancy criminalization
- Share good information about safe self-managed abortion, including legal resources like the Repro Legal Helpline and the Repro Legal Defense Fund, and medical resources like the M+A Hotline
- Share compassionate, accurate information about later abortion
- Share compassionate, accurate information about forced parental involvement laws and abortion access for young people
- Follow local, grassroots, and state-level orgs working to support abortion rights through a repro justice framework, and especially those orgs working to combat pregnancy criminalization, like If/When/How and Pregnancy Justice.
Onward!
The Top Headlines
- “Ohio woman who miscarried at home won’t be charged with corpse abuse, grand jury decides” (AP)
- “Abortion rights clashes with NIMBYism in California” (Politico) — I am once again asking coastal liberals and folks in “blue” and supposedly “abortion-friendly” states to genuinely internalize the fact that preserving and expanding abortion access is an ongoing project that takes everyone’s active and constant participation, not a fait accompli.
- “Advocates expect Supreme Court Idaho abortion decision to fuel efforts to further restrict access” (StatNews) — Access to medication abortion is under threat at the national level! All the time!
- “In the Dominican Republic, I Saw Broken U.S. Abortion Policy Firsthand” (Rewire News)
- “Texas mother Kate Cox on the outcome of her legal fight for an abortion: ‘It was crushing’” (CBS)
- “With Roe Gone, Some House Republicans Back Away From National Abortion Ban” (NYT)
- “States can join lawsuit seeking to restrict abortion pill, judge rules” (Reuters)
- “In the fight over abortion rights, the government bans its first company from tracking medical visits” (Politico)
- “Ohio abortion rights amendment’s impacts will spread into 2024 campaigns” (Ohio Capital Journal)
- “Republicans try to block Biden administration plan to cut money for anti-abortion counseling centers” (AP via ABC)
- “Mike DeWine Is Following the Right’s Vicious Abortion Playbook on Trans Health Care” (The New Republic)
- “The increasing risk of criminal charges for women who experience a miscarriage” (PBS News)
- 🇺🇸 What politicians and politicos on the national stage are doing and saying about abortion in advance of the ‘24 election:
- “Abortion Ban Opponents Flocked to Donald Trump in Iowa” (Newsweek)
- “Donald Trump Says He’s ‘Proud’ To Have Overturned Roe v. Wade” (HuffPo) — Somehow this story exists alongside a whole load of headlines about Donald Trump’s mysterious and unknowable stance on abortion. Hmmmmmmm.
- “DeSantis and Haley trade accusations at Iowa debate while Trump holds separate town hall” (Iowa Capital Dispatch) — As ever, all abortion-related statements these clowny fuckos make should be taken with Mt. Everest-sized grains of salt.
- 👩🏽⚕️ What’s happening with clinical abortion care, providers, medication abortion, and such:
- “Crisis pregnancy centers: another option or a ‘hoax clinic’?” (NorthJersey.com) — 🙋🏻 🙋🏻 🙋🏻 Oh oh oh I know the answer to this one!
- “Many Republicans support abortion. Are they switching parties because of it?” (The Guardian) — No, they aren’t.
- ⚖️ What’s going on with abortion bans, legal challenges, and bills at the state and local levels:
- 🟢 “Maine lawmakers propose constitutional amendment to guarantee abortion access” (News Center Maine)
- 🟢 “Abortion, guns, housing and more: A breakdown of bills introduced in Virginia’s General Assembly” (Virginian-Pilot) — So far it looks like the abortion-related proposals in VA, where Dems won an important victory over Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s anti-abortion fear-mongering, are pretty positive!
- 🟡 “Democratic senator files bill asking for rape, incest exceptions in Kentucky’s abortion ban” (Kentucky Lantern) — Once again: abortion exceptions rarely are.
- 🟡 “Sen. Riepe introduces measure to allow abortions after 12 weeks for fetal anomalies” (Nebraska Examiner) — Once again, again: abortion exceptions rarely are.
- 🟡 “With most abortions illegal in Missouri, few expect new bills will get traction this year” (Missouri Independent) — And yet the anti-abortion lobby continues pushing politicians to propose more abortion restrictions! It’s almost like they won’t stop until they have criminalized every last abortion!
- 🟡 “Iowa lawmakers consider rules on blocked education, abortion laws” (Iowa Capital Dispatch) — This stuff can often seem dry and predetermined, but the rule-making around how to implement abortion bans is actually incredible important and worth following if/when it happens in your geography.
- 🟡 “Arkansas group files third draft of proposed abortion amendment” (Arkansas Advocate)
- 🟡 “Kansas Legislature opens 2024 session amid tax policy salvo, dash of winter weather” (Kansas Reflector) — The abortion news nugget here is the House Speaker saying “we are going to do some ‘life’ issues, but not abortion issues,” this session, which sounds like weenie wiggle language to me, and I would not take this man at his word. For example, he seems to have been unable to stop one of his House colleagues from introducing a new abortion ban. See next item.
- 🔴 “House GOP lawmakers introduce bill imposing near-total ban on abortion in Kansas” (Kansas Reflector)
- 🔴 “House Bill 381 would replace the term ‘fetus’ with ‘preborn children’ in Idaho law” (Idaho Capital Sun) — ghghghghghgh
- 🔴 “[Arizona] Abortion foes launch campaign against abortion rights ballot initiative” (Arizona Mirror)
- 🔴 “New bill would allow pregnant commuters to drive in Utah HOV lanes” (Utah News Dispatch) — No matter what the anti-abortion lawmakers behind these proposals say (they come up periodically, this is hardly a first), fast-lane fetuses are is a ~ fetal personhood ~ thing not a “we just love mommies” thing.
- 🔴 “Virtually all abortions would be illegal in Florida under new proposal filed by a House Republican” and “On abortion front: GOP top leaders say they don’t support bill to ban virtually all abortions in FL” (Florida Phoenix) — Strong work splitting hairs here from the Florida GOP, which does in fact support banning virtually all abortions, because it backs a pending six-week abortion ban in the state, which is of course a ban on virtually all abortions. Obviously there is a difference between six-week abortion bans and total abortion bans, especially to the handful of folks who may be able to access abortion care under a six-week ban, but for Republicans to pretend like they are doing Floridians some kind of bold favor by opposing an all-out ban while supporting a six-week ban is truly laughable, and more than a little cynical.
The Takes
- UCSF’s Diana Greene Foster, the leading researcher and expert on “turnaway” abortion demography, recently gave a TED Talk based on her work, looking at “what happens when we deny people abortions.” Don’t just watch it — share it widely.
The Tweets/Toks/Grams
- Google search results on anything are getting less reliable by the day, and abortion is no exception! Via AbortionFinder, a trusted resource for clinic info:
- Writer Jason Karsh’s seemingly offhand observation that beltway media’s credulous treatment of Trump on abortion is connected to the fact that he’s a rapist and everyone knows it really stopped me in my tracks this week.
- The Online Abortion Resource Squad‘s Ariella Messing is on the latest episode of rePROs Fight Back — give it a listen!
The Fuck Are We Supposed to Do About It?
- 👕 SWAG OF THE WEEK! 👕
- Feels like this lippy “fund abortions not cops” gear benefitting Holler Health Justice is the right vibe this week.
- 🎧 Anywhere: “The A Files: A Secret History of Abortion” with We Testify’s Renee Bracey Sherman and The Nation’s Regina Mahone is a new podcast from the Meteor, and it comes out Wednesday, January 17.
- 🎂 North Dakota: The Prairie Abortion Fund‘s Choice Desserts event is this Friday, January 19 in Fargo, featuring author and abortion doula Hannah Matthews!
- 🙋🏽 Anywhere in the U.S., for birth justice folks: The Sister Song Birth Justice Care Fund is reopening for 2024!
- ⚖️ Online, for lawyerfolk: Join If/When/How and the Birth Rights Bar Association for a CLE-eligible virtual training series on birth justice beginning Wednesday, January 24th.
- 🗣️ Washington, D.C.: The panel “Why Returning to Roe isn’t the Answer: A Case for the Abolition of Abortion Laws” is Thursday, January 25 at American University.
- 🥂 Iowa City: The Emma Goldman Clinic’s 2024 Choice event is Saturday, February 3, featuring Roxane Gay.
- 🥂 The Carolinas: The Carolina Abortion Fund’s second annual gala is Saturday, February 3, 2024.
- 🥂 Dallas: Join Jane’s Due Process for a celebration in Dallas on Tuesday, February 20 featuring Dr. Ghazaleh Moayedi and drag performances by Cynthia Lee Fontaine and Barbie Davenport Dupree!
- 🔬 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.
- ⚕️ Abortion providers, rights, and support:
Goodnight and good dunk — In The Onion, a soul-crushing slideshow: “Politicians Explain Why They Know More About Abortions Than Doctors.”
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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