More Than A Magazine, A Movement
In honor of National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day (March 10), let’s give thanks for abortion providers, and recognize the commitment and courage it takes to do this job, amid rising levels of vitriol from abortion protestors and growing attacks on abortion rights.
Abortion Care Network has authored a love letter to abortion providers. The letter was signed by 112 abortion rights organizations wishing to express their deep gratitude for abortion providers, who have worked to make abortion and reproductive healthcare access a reality for people across the country despite unending obstacles.
As if teens seeking to terminate a pregnancy in this bleak post-Roe landscape do not have enough obstacles to contend with, particularly in abortion-hostile states, Republican lawmakers in Idaho recently introduced House Bill 98, which would make it a crime to take a teen out of state for an abortion without the consent of a parent or guardian. On Tuesday, the Idaho House voted 57-12 to advance the measure.
The right of teens to obtain an abortion without the knowledge or involvement of their parents has been constitutionally protected—at least until now.
Facing little to no support from outside systems like the government or other publicly funded programs, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ have developed creative ways to look out for each other and ensure the wellbeing of every member. This system, often referred to as “community care,” has also been a core tenant of the abortion access movement.
Growing up in a low-income Latinx community in Los Angeles, I witnessed firsthand what community care is really about.
It’ll only take us three more centuries to gain equality, because conservatives in the U.S., Iran and Afghanistan and elsewhere don’t want equality at all.
The last century has largely been a good one for women’s progress. But with every large step forward, we’ve seen backlash, and this is a global trend.
A new lawsuit Zurawski v. Texas marks the first time patients directly affected by abortion laws have sought to challenge them in court. Filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights on behalf of 13 Texans directly harmed by bans and two Texas ob-gyns, the lawsuit aims to hold the state of Texas accountable for the consequences of the state’s multiple anti-abortion laws.
“Texas officials claim the bans they passed protect ‘life,’ but there’s nothing pro-life about them. I nearly died as a direct result of the anti-abortion restrictions in Texas,” said the lead plaintiff in the case. “What’s more, they put the lives of my potential future children at risk, as the damage done to my body has already had a negative impact on my reproductive health.”
Wyoming police have increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of an arsonist who set fire to a Casper, Wyo., abortion clinic on May 25, 2022. Anyone who provides information leading to the apprehension and prosecution of the arsonist will receive a cash prize of $15,000—up from $5,000 previously. The Casper Police Department has established a specific tip line and email address for individuals to provide information regarding this particular crime: Call 307-920-2862 or email PDTips@casperwy.gov, and leave as much detailed information as possible.
On Sunday, March 4, the world lost a fierce, funny, tireless organizer for disability rights with the death of Judith Ellen “Judy” Heumann.
If you want to work for change, take her advice: “When other people see you as a third-class citizen, the first thing you need is a belief in yourself and the knowledge that you have rights. The next thing you need is a group of friends to fight back with.”
The U.S. ranks as the 19th most dangerous country for women, 11th in maternal mortality, 30th in closing the gender pay gap, 75th in women’s political representation, and painfully lacks paid family leave and equal access to health care. But Ms. has always understood: Feminist movements around the world hold answers to some of the U.S.’s most intractable problems. Ms. Global is taking note of feminists worldwide.
This time with news from Spain, Nigeria, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Turkey and more.
Funds have halted abortion-related work since June, when Roe v. Wade was overturned. Resuming that work could affect hundreds of pregnant people in Texas, which is the largest state to ban abortion.
An Austin-based federal judge last month temporarily blocked Texas prosecutors from pursuing legal action against organizations that help people secure abortions in states where it is legal. The ruling offers a rare spot of relief for abortion rights proponents in Texas and comes as state lawmakers are increasingly targeting organizations that help people leave the state for an abortion.