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Did you watch Oprah Winfrey‘s speech at the Democratic National Convention?

She said:

“The women and men who are battling to keep us from going back to a time of desperation and shame and stone-cold fear, they are the new freedom fighters. And make no mistake: They are the best of America.”

And she was talking about YOU.

You have been a part of this movement, both in Ohio and across the country, working to restore abortion access following the fall of Roe v Wade. When you collected signatures, talked to your friends and neighbors about how to vote on Issue 1 (The Issue 1 last August, last November, or this November — they’re all important!), registered new voters, knocked on doors, and shared your stories… this is how we fight, and when we fight, we win!

Can you continue that fight with a donation to continue the Abortion Forward mission in the 2024 General Election?

Her comments about your work followed a discussion of the abortion storytellers who had shared their experiences at the DNC already:

“Now, over the last couple of nights, we have all seen brave people walk onto the stage and share their most private pain. Amanda and Josh, Kaitlyn, Hadley—they told us their stories of rape and incest and near-death experiences from having the state deny them the abortion that their doctor explained was medically necessary. And they told us these things for one reason, and that is to keep what happened to them from happening to anybody else. Because if you do not have autonomy over this — (Winfrey gestures to her body) over this — if you cannot control when and how you choose to bring your children into this world and how they are raised and supported, there is no American dream.”

This work could not be more important, and at this moment it is incredibly critical that we push forward as hard as we possibly can. All gas, no brakes!

Please make a donation now.

From our Operations Director Ryan Conway:

Finding a healthcare provider you trust can be a stressful experience for anyone.

That experience becomes even more challenging when you’re looking for a provider who respects your identity and understands the importance of gender-affirming care, especially when our medical system is so preoccupied with forcing people into binary boxes.

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it became increasingly clear that our community needed a way to cut through all of the nonsense and thinly veiled transphobia to find a provider that earnestly and wholeheartedly integrated their understanding of LGBTQ+ needs into their practice.

As I talked to other members of the LGBTQ+ community about their healthcare journeys, I found providers tabling at local pride events, searched through online databases, and found websites that provided useful products and education. I started compiling a list of LGBTQ+ friendly resources that could provide a great starting point if you’re looking to begin your own healthcare journey or are trying to help a loved one in need.

You don’t have to start your journey from square 1.

Check it out on our Trans and Non-Binary Resources Page!

The Toledo Blade reported on how the Supreme Court of Ohio races are shaping up in the 2024 election. As the court battles over Ohio’s abortion bans move forward, our team is working to educate voters on the importance of judicial races that voters frequently overlook.

Our Jaime Miracle was quoted:

“A broad number of voters turned out to put reproductive rights in the constitution,” said Jaime Miracle, deputy director of Abortion Forward, the rebranded former Pro-Choice Ohio.

“Our gerrymandered legislature is not going to do anything to undo the decades of harm its abortion restrictions and laws have caused in this state,” she said. “The court is the only real path forward at this point to stop the enforcement of all of the abortion restrictions that are now in our minds unconstitutional.”

“We’ve been talking about the court for a very long time and how keyed in the public is on this,” Ms. Miracle said. “We’re transitioning from paying attention to the U.S. Supreme Court to looking closer at the Ohio Supreme Court, which is going to decide whether the reproductive freedom amendment is enforced or ignored.”

Read more at ToledoBlade.com

With the ever-changing news cycle and plenty of content to doomscroll, feeling hopeless is valid, and embracing those feelings is okay. But there are plenty of exciting ways to lift your spirits and make a difference. How about crafting a “happy playlist” filled with your absolute favorite feel-good songs? Let those tunes turn your day into a mini celebration, no matter where you are.

Or try your hand at art therapy—grab some paints or markers and let your creativity run wild on paper. It’s all about letting those emotions out in a vibrant, colorful way. For a bit of advocacy magic, look into volunteering with Abortion Forward and make a direct impact on abortion access. Find like-minded community at our monthly Happy Hour sessions across Ohio. You could also be a part of Patients to Advocates, a paid, 9-month leadership development program that prepares Ohioans who have had abortions for civic engagement around reproductive health, rights, and justice!

Combining these joyful self-care activities with impactful advocacy can give you a powerful sense of purpose and show you just how much positivity you can bring to the world, even on the toughest days.

Are you looking for a safe place to unwind and meet other folks in your community who are also pro-abortion? Join us for a Repro Happy Hour!

Over the past several months, the team at Abortion Forward has hosted ten Repro Happy Hours – from Akron to Dayton, we’ve been all over the great state of Ohio visiting fun local bars and meeting great folks like you. These events have brought organizers, students, teachers, and activists together to connect and form a community.

Whether you’re looking for more pro-abortion friends, to network with other progressive folks, or just need a safe space to laugh and relax, Repro Happy Hours are the place for you. Hope to catch you at the next one!