Dear SHA Community,
It has been three weeks since the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the United States Supreme Court. Like many of you, the Sexual Health Alliance team was and still is shocked, confused, hurt, frustrated, scared, and angry as hell.
Abortion is healthcare. Abortion is a private decision. Abortion is a right.
The Sexual Health Alliance dissents the US Supreme Court’s decision to
overturn Roe v. Wade.
After the initial ruling, we took time to ourselves to mourn and process the news, though, we admit, we are still processing and we will probably always be trying to process this horrific act of terror on bodily autonomy in our country. We knew this subject, and our reaction to it, would need to be handled with care–especially since your SHA team is comprised of well-educated white women, arguably the group who will always have access to abortions. Adding to the chaos that was that fateful Friday and the following weekend seemed futile to us. The news had spread, we were all made aware, and we were all in dread.
Now that some time has passed and our wounds have begun healing into scars, we must continue doing what SHA has always done: provide up-to-date, accurate, and celebratory sexual information. From the very beginning, we have and always will use our platform as a safe space for sharing resources, dialogue, and community. Below are just some of the incredible resources being shared:
MAPS:
Guttmacher Institute’s interactive map of Abortion Policies and Access After Roe helpfully rates states from Most Restrictive to Most Protected and allows you to see details about any policies in place or characteristics of that state particularly
The 19th’s interactive map of What Abortion Looks Like in Every State–Right Now and a dashboard that updates the status of abortion rights in each state
Crisis Pregnancy Center Map provides information about local crisis pregnancy centers, otherwise known as “fake women’s health centers,” that are actively trying to prevent people from getting abortions with the guise of helping
Noise For Now’s Find Abortion Clinics and Funds interactive map provides users with locations of Planned Parenthoods and Independent Abortion Clinics as well as abortion funds in each state
We Won’t Go Back provides an interactive map of organized protests across the country and in your area
Women’s March also provides an interactive map of organized protests across the world and country
WHERE TO DONATE:
PRROWESS – An organization that aims to be a floating health clinic dedicated to offering a full scope of reproductive health and wellness services, including contraception and surgical abortion
Indigenous Women Rising is an organization working to provide accessible health education and resources, such as safe and legal abortions, but other health issues as well that directly impact Indigenous people
Planned Parenthood, the standard of women’s health
NARAL Pro-Choice America is based in DC and working tirelessly to uphold abortion and birth control access, advocate for paid family leave, and fight pregnancy discrimination
National Network of Abortion Funds acts as a database for state-specific and local abortion funds as well as provides abortion-based information
FIND HELP:
Mayday.Health for information on accessing abortion pills
Plan C Pills for abortion pills available through the mail
MA Hotline for support to self-manage your miscarriage or abortion
INeedAnA.com to get helpful information most relevant to your specific situation
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Follow certain hashtags like #BansOffOurBodies or #OurBodiesOurChoice for up-to-date national and local information
Yes we are hurt, yes we are angry, but we are strong. And, most importantly, we are not alone. You are not alone.
We will see this through, as those before us have done for centuries. Abortion is not a new topic and though they may try, it is not going anywhere. The Sexual Health Alliance stands with you all in our fight for bodily autonomy and reproductive rights now and forever.
With love always,
SHA Leadership Team
Heather McPherson, CEO and Founder
Jenn Rahner, Director of Operations
Maddi Pritchard, Director of Marketing
Alex Paro, Director of Experiences and Engagement
Shelby Lueders, Program Manager
Abi Everywhere, Program Manager