Reproductive care has always been a complex topic for people of color in the United States. Since the beginnings of colonization - through the horrors of slavery and the forced sterilization efforts of the last century - our ability to control whether or not we bring life into the world and how we are allowed to interact with our offspring once they are born has been either challenged or completely wrenched from our grasp.
The fact that a majority of representatives in Congress don’t accept abortion as an essential part of reproductive healthcare makes millions of Americans say, “Really? Is this still the conversation we’re having?” It's like we haven’t moved forward in 40 years—not since Congress passed the Hyde Amendment in 1976, banning Medicaid from covering the cost of abortions. Access to abortion and reproductive healthcare isn’t something that should be a luxury for the rich.
A musical response to the recent upsurge in GOP misogyny - attacks on Planned Parenthood, denial of fair pay laws, and candidates trying to out-Trump each other.
A woman’s decision to donate her aborted fetus to medical research—and Planned Parenthood’s willingness to transfer the fetal material—is deeply commendable. No woman is eager to have an unwanted pregnancy, but if she decides to terminate it, Planned Parenthood can help turn her misfortune into a mitzvah. That is not an act of killing. It is an act of altruism.
Dr. Cheryl Chastine represents the future of abortion care; she infuses reproductive justice values and transgender patient care into her practice. She has given up a lot, personally and professionally, to provide care to her patients, but she refuses to back down due to threats or intimidation. She fights back by providing the best possible care to her patients.
As part of a clear national strategy, an array of anti-choice legislation is being rolled out in state houses around the country, putting women's health at risk. Already, 57 percent of American women of reproductive age live in states that are considered 'hostile' or 'extremely hostile' to abortion rights. That percentage could go up if recent proposals are enacted into law, and U.S. women’s constitutional rights may well differ depending on where they live.
In 2013, there were more laws passed to limit women’s reproductive rights than in the entire previous DECADE.
Ten million more women than men voted in the last election. In fact 53% of voters were women. That is not a voting block it's a majority. Women have decided literally every election in our lifetimes, yet, midterm turnout is historically low. LET'S CHANGE THAT!
Many of us may have access to good health care, but our experience being a woman – and our rights – shouldn’t depend on our zip code. Our sisters in Texas, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Ohio, Arkansas, and so many other states don’t have what we have. The most regressive, antiwoman, antivoting, antiequality laws are being passed on the state level. This is why the MIDTERMS are so important.
It’s not enough to vote – we have to vote like our futures are on the line because they are. That means you vote, but you also talk about voting. You post about voting. You bring some pals to the polls.
There is a war being waged on women's rights and we must fight back with everything we've got. Please VOTE on Nov.4th!
Appearances by: Abbey Lee Kershaw, Alexa Chung, Alia Penner, Alia Shawkat, Amy Rose Spiegel, Amanda Zazi Charchian , Ana Calderon, Anna Fitzpatrick, Ariana Delawari, Arrow and Ada, Barb Morrison, Becky Stark, Brodie Lancaster, Brooke Williams, Carlen Altman, Carrie Brownstein, Cassie Carello, Chapin Sisters, Courtney Hall, Courtney Martin, Elle Wagner, Erika Spring, Hannah Johnson, India Menuez, Judith Iocovozzi, Justin Vivian Bond, Karen Elson, Kate Nash, Kate Urcioli, Katy Goodman, Kime Buzzelli, Krista Bachmeier, Kristina Uriegas, Leah Siegel, Leith Clark, Lena Dunham, Lesley Gore, Lisa Mayock, Lucy Moffatt, Madelyne Beckles, Mae Whitman, Mallyce, Maximilla Lukacs, Maria Valencia, Mecca Andrews, Meg Olsen, Melissa Coker, Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe, Mia Lidofsky, Miranda July, Natalia Czajkiewicz, Natasha Lyonne, Petra Collins, Rachel Antonoff, Rebecca Fernandez, Rain Phoenix, Riley Keough, Ruby Karp, Ryan Roche, Sarah Sophie Flicker, Shae Detar, Sia, Sophie Buhai, Tavi Gevinson, Tracee Ellis Ross
In the states, where the 2014 elections gave Republicans control of two-thirds of state legislative chambers, incoming lawmakers also have supersized their abortion agendas. But abortion is just one issue on the minds of activists focused on reproductive rights. There's also birth control, conscience clauses and personhood. Here are seven key trends and themes to watch for this year.
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