Fighting to the Finish Line
We are two weeks away from the midterm elections. It’s difficult to think of something pithy or motivational to say at this point, and I don’t have to because I attended a meeting last week and Gloria Steinem did it for us (as she usually does!)
We are way less likely to give up hope if we understand that hope is the most powerful form of planning…. Our power begins with decision-making power over our own bodies and voices — and since only we have wombs, that’s a lot! The anti-democratic forces of patriarchy and racism know this. That’s why they resist reproductive freedom and freedom of speech. And it’s why our insistence on those freedoms - especially but not only by women - is the key to democracy.
I love you and I support you!
Gloria
My first interview in Ms. Magazine! I am delighted to share my first video interview for Ms. Magazine with Cindy Adam, the co-founder of Choix. Choix is a virtual clinic serving people in California, Colorado, New Mexico and Illinois (with more states coming soon). Choix clinicians prescribe abortion medication, birth control, emergency contraception, and other reproductive health-related services. Choix began providing “advanced provision” of abortion medication a few weeks ago. This means they are prescribing abortion medication before women become pregnant to be used in the future. Having the medication on hand (or in your medicine cabinet or in your purse . . . ) is the ultimate act of empowerment. There is no need to worry about the clock running out, no need to panic, no need to ask permission. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Cindy!
Impact of Dobbs on voters. Here is a really cogent summary of the ways that the overturning of Roe is impacting registered voters this election cycle here.
Voters were contacted three times: immediately before, about a month after the Dobbs decision, and then a month after that with an oversampling of voters of color. A few key takeaways:
Republican women became +10 points more likely to vote for pro-choice candidates.
Dobbs is not just having an impact on women – about half of Black men, Latino/x men, AAPI men, and Democratic men say the decision made them feel more likely to vote in the midterms.”
Post Dobbs, Latino/x and AAPI men are up +10 points saying they’re more likely to vote for pro-choice candidates this fall.
Latina/o/x voters are significantly more likely than white voters to want abortion legal in all or most cases – this is a new trend, in addition to a recent emergence of generational divides.
I know we’re seeing and hearing dreadful news from more recent polling. I asked my friend, Rene Redwood, the smartest political strategist I know, what these variations in the polling means. She said, “I’m very optimistic and it’s a very fluid situation.”
In other words, we need to fight for every vote from now until election day.
And one more thought about this election. Yes, this election is all about the economy, because there is no economic freedom without repro freedom. You cannot have one without the other. So, yes, it’s about the economy — and every person’s right to be free and equal and prosperous.
Vote Pro Choice. If you want to know the pro-choice champions running in your state or county go to the Vote Pro Choice Guide. And feel free to send the guide to your nephew who just moved to Austin, TX.
Obstetricians for Reproductive Justice: I’ve mentioned this awesome group before. They released their first video last week:
Here’s another great video for anyone wondering what’s at stake (e.g. babies forced to have babies):
Last thought: I’m going to stop calling them antis (as in anti-choice) and start calling them forced birthers.
Heads down, helmets on, people, we need to fight to the finish line!
Thank you Allison and just love the interview with Cindy and YES to the shift to "forced birthers" - because that is what they are doing.