Leaders, organizations, and individuals dedicated to working in the reproductive health, rights, and justice communities in Ohio vow to continue to center people who’ve had abortions and the people who may need them in the future by committing ourselves to working toward unapologetic abortion access and the realization of reproductive freedom for all Ohioans.

We are disappointed and dismayed, but wholly unsurprised by the latest attack on reproductive autonomy passed by the Ohio legislature on April 10, 2019. Ohio politicians have voted to enact one of the nation’s strictest anti-abortion laws, outlawing abortion procedures after only six weeks of pregnancy-before most people even know they are pregnant. Simultaneously, Ohio already has laws in place that make it very difficult for people to get an abortion, even very early in pregnancy.

Yesterday, the Ohio legislature passed one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country, Senate Bill 23, which effectively bans all abortion in Ohio. Specifically, procedures after 6 weeks – which is before most even know they’re pregnant.

With this news, know that OHIO'S ABORTION CLINICS ARE STILL OPEN! They're still providing compassionate, patient-centered medical care that is legal, and accessible. Our partner clinics work hard to help folks afford care through funds from Women Have Options - Ohio and other partner funding.

STATEMENT OFFICIALLY CUTTING TIES WITH ACTUAL BREWING COMPANY

Women Have Options/ Ohio is officially announcing that we will no longer partner or accept support of any kind from Actual Brewing Company while Fred Lee is at or benefitting from the organization.  The decision to part ways with Actual Brewing Company as an event sponsor and supporter was made after learning of the reports of sexual assault perpetrated by Fred Lee, a founder and co-owner of the Columbus-based craft brewery. We were also informed this week that a reported incident of sexual assault happened at a WHO/O event, to a dedicated volunteer, and we are collectively horrified. It pains us greatly that anyone could be subjected to any form of harassment or assault, and we unanimously stand with all survivors.

Resources compiled by The National Network of Abortion Funds

It is important to recognize the connections between systems of oppression as we're shifting the conversation about abortion, and ensuring it’s a real option, accessible without shame or judgment and framed within the broader context of life. Whether carrying a pregnancy to term, having an abortion or parenting the children one already has, seeking abortion is one of those moments where folks who are experiencing racism and economic injustices see those forms of oppression magnified.

Communities of color face racial discrimination, and families are fearful for the lives of children harmed and killed by state violence. Schools and housing are divided unjustly, and not all children have the resources to get the comprehensive health care they need, especially as our federal government decimates access to health care for the most vulnerable in our communities. When many of us are not being paid a living wage, when we don’t have paid time off to spend taking care of our well-being and our family’s health, and when we are struggling to make ends meet around every paycheck, we are less able to make pregnancy decisions free from coercion. When families are fully cared for and networks can help care for all, we will be stronger. That’s why it’s so important for a comprehensive vision of justice to include working towards economic, racial, gender, and reproductive justice.

Reproductive justice is a framework and approach started and led by women of color, specifically Black women, because abortion rights or pro-choice framework doesn’t nearly account for the many ways in which institutions, cultural norms, and systems of oppression form an apparatus of control over people’s bodies and decisions, especially for people of color and people affected by economic injustice. We look to SisterSong and other reproductive justice organizations for leadership.

Explore these links, and the multimedia syllabus, below.

• Forward Together (formerly Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice) on Reproductive Rights vs. Reproductive Health vs. Reproductive Justice
• Kimberlé Crenshaw’s TED talk on intersectionality
• Dorothy Roberts' TED talk on health disparities and race-based medicine