Sexual and Reproductive Health Archives

Anti-Abortion Groups Try to Intimidate Pharmacies Planning to Dispense Abortion Pills

On Feb. 4, anti-abortion groups are organizing a national day of protests targeting pharmacies that have announced they plan to offer abortion pills, including Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid. The threat comes in response to a recent FDA announcement of a new certification process for brick-and-mortar pharmacies to become eligible to sell the abortion pill mifepristone for the first time.

The anti-abortion movement has a long history of violence against abortion clinics and providers, including blockades, invasions, chemical attacks, arsons, bombings, death threats, shootings, sniper attacks and cold-blooded murder. Violence at abortion clinics increased significantly between 2020 and 2021, particularly for stalking (600 percent), blockades (450 percent), hoax devices/suspicious packages (163 percent), invasions (129 percent) and assault and battery (128 percent).

Anti-Trans Legislation to ‘Protect Children’ Harms LGBTQIA+ Youth—Both Now and in the Future

Laura Kina

Already, 150 bills aimed at LGBTQ youth have been filed or introduced in 25 states, from restrictions on drag performances, to bans on pronouns teachers can use in the classroom, to mandates that schools ‘out’ trans students to their families.

As a multiracial queer mom to a nonbinary Jewish child, these issues are both personal and political.

Global Reproductive Justice Is What We Need Right Now

Anu Kumar and Loretta Ross

Around the globe, white supremacy is a thread that runs through reproductive policies, maternal health programs, marriage and family law.

The reproductive justice framework can help people everywhere access the care they need.

As Congress Convenes, Over 100 Women’s Groups Urge Lawmakers to Focus on Gender Equity

Roxy Szal

Congress is back in session, and feminists are making clear: Gender equity must be a priority. A coalition of top women’s rights- and reproductive rights-focused groups outlined their vision for the future of U.S. gender equality and the steps the 118th Congress can take, in a letter sent to leaders in both the U.S. House and Senate, as well as relevant committee chairs.

We Heart: The Giant Abortion Pill Snow Drawing at Sundance, Celebrating Reproductive Autonomy

Carrie N. Baker

In honor of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade on Sunday, Jan. 22, Swedish-American artist Michele Pred created a 50-foot snow drawing of the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol in a park nearby the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, where the film PLAN C about abortion pills premiered the next day.

Menstruation Is an Afterthought in Research. Here’s Why That Needs To Change

Taytum Kahl

By neglecting to collect data on menstruation, researchers are potentially missing key indicators of women’s health.

Menstruation is the “fifth vital sign” in the clinic. It’s time it becomes more than just an afterthought in the laboratory.

ICYMI: Everything You Need to Know About Abortion Pills

Roxy Szal

People in red and blue states are now ordering pills online and using them in the privacy of their own homes without having to take time off work, travel long distances to clinics and pass through anti-abortion protesters to get the care they need.

How do abortion pills work? Are they safe? And how are people getting them? In a Ms. webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 18, reproductive health advocates Lauren Dubey of Choix and Melissa Madera of Plan C joined Ms. editor Carrie Baker, to break down everything you need to know about abortion pills.

Feminists React: 50 Years After Roe, the Fight Is Far From Over

Kathy Spillar

This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade. On what would have been the celebration of 50 years of legal abortion throughout the U.S., we’re instead mourning the loss of our (apparently not-so) fundamental right to bodily autonomy.

But don’t let triumphant Republicans or smug Supreme Court justices fool you—the fight is far from over.

New York State Will Vote on a State-Level ERA in the 2024 Elections

Carrie N. Baker

Lawmakers in New York will soon vote on an Equal Rights Amendment that explicitly protects reproductive rights.

“The ERA covers everybody’s issues. It’s an opportunity for people to come together and break down some of the silos that usually divide us. It is the embodiment of the values of reproductive justice.”

New York Shield Law Would Protect Clinicians Mailing Abortion Pills to Patients in Red States

Carrie N. Baker

New York could become the second state, after Massachusetts, to pass a shield law extending to telemedicine abortion providers serving out-of-state patients. The proposed law would protect clinicians and pharmacists throughout the state from criminal prosecution, extradition, loss of license or malpractice insurance, and from subpoenas of their medical records for prescribing and sending abortion pills to people who need them anywhere in the United States.

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