I was lazily lounging on the couch with my husband and two dogs last night when the notification popped up on my phone: A majority draft opinion by the Supreme Court had been leaked. Frantically, I sat up and read the opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. Like so many of you, my heart stopped and my stomach lurched as I read those words. And while I’d been preparing for such a decision from the ultraconservative Supreme Court for months, it still knocked the wind out of me. To be sure, this is a draft. Abortion is still legal. But it appears that it won’t be shortly.
There’s never been a more urgent time for secular activists to mobilize.
As you have conversations in person and on social media, you will undoubtedly see a lot of misinformation about abortion. It can be tempting to get into the weeds with people, but I recommend that you keep these messages at the forefront:
• Abortion is a human right.
• Abortion is a common medical procedure.
• Abortion is health care.
• Abortion is a safe procedure.
• There is a reason that every single legitimate medical association and rights organization supports and advocates for the expansion of abortion care — not its restriction.
• The only organized opposition to abortion is religious in nature.
• A secular nation has no business infusing religious ideology into health care laws, including reproductive care.
• Health care should reflect science — not religion.
To help you better share these concepts, I have included a curated list of FFRF blog posts that demystify abortion. These articles cite evidence-based studies and research — not biblical scripture. Please share these articles with your network.
• Reproductive health is a state/church issue.
• You are not your own: a reflection on the bible and abortion legislation.
• To be anti-abortion is to be anti-science.
• Abortion bans further threaten victims of domestic violence.
• Abortion bans would spike pregnancy-related deaths.
• This is the endgame for all of these abortion restrictions.
• We need to codify abortion rights.
• Guide: Fight for abortion rights with FFRF.
I also encourage you to make a donation to the Women’s Medical Fund of Wisconsin, which was co-founded by Anne Nicol Gaylor, FFRF’s principal founder. Gaylor oversaw this fund as a volunteer from the late 1970s until her death in 2015. The fund annually helps an average of 900-1,000 Wisconsin residents without access receive an abortion. Make a donation, deductible for income-tax purposes.
Lastly, make sure that you are signed up for Action Alerts with Freedom From Religion Foundation. We need all hands on deck.
The future appears grim, but together we can make a difference.
