www.mashable.com
On May 2, a U.S. Supreme Court majority opinion draft discussing the overruling of Roe v. Wade, which determined that overly restrictive state abortion laws were unconstitutional, was leaked to the public. It’s a startling reminder that the rights to privacy inscribed in the landmark 1973 decision may soon be gutted by conservative lawmakers — a decision that would limit access to safe healthcare for people seeking abortions, and exacerbate a reproductive health climate that is already hostile to many, including people of color, low-income pregnant people, and those living in hostile states for abortion-seekers.
Though access to abortion and moves to criminalize those who provide and receive abortions have been happening statewide, such as the 2021 Texas state decision to ban abortions as early as six weeks, the U.S. Supreme Court’s opinion could have national repercussions ushering in more restrictive laws in many other states.
With the news, advocates, health professionals, and individuals alike immediately restarted yet another cycle of reproductive activism online.
Texas banned most abortions. Activists urge massive donations to abortion funds.
In a May 3 press briefing, reproductive justice advocates spoke to the climate of fear and uncertainty generated by the SCOTUS leak, calling the possible decision a shocking yet clarifying announcement. Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center, said that the possible decision would be a violation of trust and justice. “The justices might need to hear the outrage that they are seeing now, as people are rising up in anger and disbelief and demanding that the court recognize and respect their fundamental rights.”
Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and Dr. Bhavik Kumar, a Planned Parenthood physician based in Texas, reiterated to the press that, as of this moment, abortion is still legal in every state. Physicians, including Kumar, and Planned Parenthood affiliates will not stop treating patients in need.
McGill Johnson added that organizations like Planned Parenthood will continue fighting for safe abortion care, regardless of the draft’s validity. “As of today, abortion is still legal. As of right now, you can still get care,” McGill Johnson said. “But no decision from a court can stop abortion. Period. Point blank. People with resources will travel to get the care they need — they always have. Others will self-manage their abortions. And there will be people who are forced to carry their pregnancy against their will. The post-Roe reality will be uncharted territory, but we will navigate it together.”
Reproductive justice activists have long been preparing for the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade. The Post-Roe Handbook, published as a book in 2019 by reporter and abortion activist Robin Marty, shares a multitude of digital resources, including activism guides, sample legislation, and a list of practical support organizations — a broad term referring to reproductive health networks that provide a wide array of services to people on the ground. The National Network of Abortion Access Funds also has a guide to finding support networks in your area.
Online, many have already begun sharing community-generated guides to support abortion funds and other forms of practical support, such as an evolving list of abortion access funds and guides to tweeting and advocating for abortion access online.
According to the Center for Reproductive Health, at least 25 states have hostile state legislatures that could potentially ban abortion outright if Roe v. Wade was overturned — three other states and two territories would likely refuse legal protections for abortion. These regions will need heightened attention should the leaked draft become an official decision and states move forward, but the right to safe abortion access is still a national issue that’s often exacerbated by factors like income, education, and race.
While national organizations like Planned Parenthood and political advocacy group NARAL Pro Choice America gather up even more support to fight against this future ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, it’s our job to support local organizations on the ground, including Black and POC-led networks who are advocating for communities already struggling to obtain equal reproductive access. Start by donating to community funds, like the Black feminist leadership fund, started in 2019 that’s split among 10 different Black-led reproductive justice organizations.
Scroll on for a condensed list of regional abortion funds and practical support organizations that you can help today, in states under direct threat and more across the country.
West/Pacific Northwest
Northwest Abortion Access Fund (NWAAF)
This fund supports reproductive access for people traveling within, to, or from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska, which includes direct abortion funding and practical support through transportation and lodging assistance. You can donate to their work online, or call the hotline at (866) 692-2310 if you are in need of assistance yourself.
Access Reproductive Justice
Access Reproductive Justice is a California-based fund that provides healthcare referrals, procedural and practical support for abortions, contraceptive care, and more, all focused on the experiences of Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ, and communities with disabilities. You can donate here, or reach the organization on its hotline at (800) 376-4636.
Utah Abortion Fund
Currently the only Utah-based abortion fund affiliated with the National Network of Abortion Funds, the Utah Abortion Fund organizes financial and practical support for abortion seekers in Utah, as well as on-the-ground reproductive education and grassroots advocacy. Visit the fund’s website to learn more about how to receive support if you are in Utah, and donate to the organization’s work.
South/Southeast
Access Reproductive Care Southeast (ARC Southeast)
ARC Southeast is a reproductive justice organization providing practical support for Southerners in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The group’s services include direct funding and transportation for abortion access, peer-to-peer support groups, and other direct services like childcare and translation. According to ARC Southeast executive director Oriaku Njoku, the organization has already received thousands of dollars in donations since last night’s news, and is continuing to coordinate with the National Network of Abortion Funds. You can donate to the organization’s work here. To request support, call ARC Southeast’s hotline at (855) 227-2475 or use its online form.
Fund Texas Choice
Fund Texas Choice is an organization that pays for Texans’ travel costs to receive abortions both within and outside the state. Recent state legislation has made abortion access even more difficult for Texas residents, and the organization rallied to gather more support and resources for those requiring support. If you are in need of abortion travel funds, call (844) 900-8908. You can also donate to the travel fund here.
Yellowhammer Fund
The Yellowhammer Fund serves abortion and reproductive health seekers in Alabama, Mississippi, and other parts of the Deep South. The fund supports abortion, transportation, and lodging costs, as well as emergency contraceptive access, sexual education materials, and other reproductive health needs of various communities. You can donate here.
Florida abortion funds
Multiple abortion funds offer practical support for residents in Florida, including Access Reproductive Care Southeast, Broward Women’s Emergency Fund, Emergency Medical Assistance Inc, Florida Access Network, Tampa Bay Abortion Fund, and the Women’s Emergency Network. You can make individual contributions to each of these funds on their websites, or make a single donation to all six Florida organizations through the National Network of Abortion Funds.
New Orleans Abortion Fund
This fund provides support not just for Louisiana-based communities, but anyone in need of abortion assistance in the Gulf South, including Texas and surrounding states. The fund connects patients with community resources and local clinics, including Women’s Health Care Center in New Orleans, Delta Clinic in Baton Rouge, and Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, to assist patients through the medical process of getting an abortion. The network can also provide funding and other practical support. Donate to the fund here.
Holler Health Justice
Holler Health Justice is a BIPOC and queer led reproductive justice organization servicing communities in Appalachia. The network provides education, mutual aid, free emergency contraception, and abortion assistance, as well as other support to rural and low-income communities in East Tennessee and surrounding areas. Learn more about Holler Health Justice’s abortion support and funding on its website, and donate to the organization’s practical support efforts for reproductive justice here.
East/Northeast
DC Abortion Fund
The DC Abortion Fund supports D.C., Maryland, and Virginia residents and those traveling into the city who can’t afford abortion costs. The fund works through connections with national funds and local clinics, and operates a confidential hotline at (202) 452-7464 to help assist individuals through the process. You can donate to the volunteer work online.
Haven Coalition
The Haven Coalition supports communities in and traveling to New York City to receive abortion care. The organization provides lodging and personal escorts for patients to and from clinic locations. It works with the New York Abortion Access Fund to connect those in need with financial help for abortion costs, as well. Sign up to volunteer with the Haven Coalition or the New York abortion fund here.
Abortion Liberation Fund Pennsylvania
This fund supports equal abortion access for low-income community members in Southern Pennsylvania, through both direct support and community organizing. The fund’s programs and financial support are available to anyone living or receiving an abortion in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh, Luzerne, York, and Dauphin counties. Donate to this fund here.
To support abortion access in western Pennsylvania and the tristate area, you can also donate to the Western Pennsylvania Fund for Choice, which provides funding for abortion procedures, transportation, and other health costs.
Midwest/Central
Kentucky Health Justice Network
The Kentucky Health Justice Network provides reproductive healthcare through direct support, educational campaigns, and other outreach to communities. The network hosts the KHJN Support Fund, which provides financial assistance, transportation, interpretation, and other services to those seeking reproductive and abortion care. It also runs the Trans Health Advocacy program for transgender communities seeking equal healthcare in Kentucky. Donate to the fund here.
Midwest Access Coalition
The Midwest Access Coalition, based in Chicago, is a practical support group covering travel coordination and costs, lodging, food, medicine, and emotional support for those seeking abortions around the Midwest. The coalition does not directly cover abortion costs, instead facilitating the logistic concerns pre and post procedure. You can volunteer to support abortion seekers around the region or donate to the work online.
Arkansas Abortion Support Network (AASN)
The Arkansas Abortion Support Network is a volunteer nonprofit dedicated to reducing the barriers to abortion access in Arkansas through clinic escorts, abortion service and funding help, and educational outreach. Donate to the network here.
Missouri Abortion Fund
This fund provides public education and support for those in Missouri seeking reproductive health care, including financial assistance for people seeking abortions. The fund works directly with clinics to fund partial to full costs of abortion procedures for clinic patients, rather than providing individual grants. Find more on the fund’s partners here, and donate to support abortion access here.
