Opinion: How to fight for abortion access now that Roe has been overturned

Roe is gone. Now what?

It is understandable to feel a lot of emotions. Rage. Grief. Frustration. Feeling our emotions is important. It is also important that we do not let ourselves be so overtaken by despair that we think there is nothing to be done. In the words of Mariame Kaba, “hope is a discipline.” Hope is not simply a feeling that we may or may not have, but a practice and conscious decision.

In no particular order, and certainly not exhaustive, here are nine steps you should take to fight for abortion access:

1. Give to independent abortion clinics and abortion funds. Give locally AND give to those in states with the most bans and barriers. They will help get people who need abortions to where they can get them. In Maine, we have the Mabel Wadsworth Center and Maine Family Planning as independent clinics. Abortion Care Network can help you find an independent clinic in another state to support, and the National Network of Abortion Funds does the same with regional and national abortion funds.
2. Listen to people who are doing the work. Who do you think knows more about this topic — the people who are actually involved in abortion advocacy, or some random person on the internet talking about building “auntie networks” and camping?
3. Speaking of “auntie networks,” don’t rebuild the wheel. There’s a good chance that whatever big idea you have as a person new to the movement is something that already exists. Reach out to clinics, funds, and advocacy groups in your area to see what the needs are and how you can help meet them. If there are resources missing in your community, look at how others have filled those gaps. 
4. Learn your local laws. The best way to respond is going to be dependent on where you are. I live in Maine, meaning I have state level legal protections for abortion access, and a well-supported local abortion fund. I don’t need to make plans about possibly traveling for abortion care, but I do need to support local, independent clinics, abortion funds in states with bans, and independent clinics in states with bans. 
5. Become a better advocate. There is always more to learn, and if I have room to grow as someone who is a long-time abortion advocate who does this as a career, I imagine you do as well. Attend workshops, trainings, and teach-ins such as Abortion is Freedom — cohosted by the Mabel Wadsworth Center and Grandmothers for Reproductive Rights on July 2 — or Operation Save Abortion with Abortion Access Front on July 17. 
6. Consider advanced provision, or having medication abortion on hand before you need it. Whether you do this or get emergency contraception to have on hand, do NOT hoard or buy more than you need. Take care of yourself and your community. See point four about local laws.
7. Talk about abortion. Fight anti-abortion stigma and talk about abortion like the normal, vital healthcare it is. 
8. Learn how contraception, emergency contraception, and abortion work. This is important even if it’s not something you personally need because you can help support others who do need this health care. 
9. Stop perpetuating stigma. Just because you support abortion access does not mean you haven’t perpetuated anti-abortion stigma. We’ve all been there. Seeking knowledge and growing in your activism is something to be celebrated.

It can be hard to hear the idea you had isn’t as helpful as you thought. You might feel defensive upon learning you haven’t approached things in the most picture-perfect way. I have no interest in perfection. I want abortion activists and advocates who care, show up, and want to grow with the movement.

If you’re new to this fight, I say with the utmost love: Where the hell have you been? I’m so glad you’re here.

Photo: A rally protesting the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday | Evan Popp