IN 2024, ABORTION IS ON THE BALLOT.
AND WINNING IN THE POLLS =/= ABORTION ACCESS.
Looking back to look forward:
In the 1990s, a decade-long conservative White House dealt a brutal blow to abortion access. When the Supreme Court granted states the power to restrict abortion care through parental consent laws, mandatory waiting periods, and gag orders, musicians rallied around feminist issues through the first Rock for Choice concert.
In 2024, the White House, Senate, and House are all on the line. And while DC can only vote for one of the three, we’re still ensuring our voices are heard.
Our right to bodily autonomy…
depends on DC’s right to local autonomy.
DC is a current haven for abortion access, providing care for those within the DC region and those traveling to the area. But until DC becomes a state, our right to bodily autonomy is never guaranteed.
Under the District Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17), Congress can stick their noses into virtually all DC affairs. Congress reviews all DC legislation—and can modify or change that legislation—before it becomes law. As history has shown, the same people who don’t respect the District’s right to self-governance are the same people who don’t respect our rights to govern our own bodies.
Keep your laws off our city and off our bodies.
WHY DC IS A CURRENT HAVEN FOR ABORTION ACCESS
No parental consent laws.
All-trimester abortion care.
Top-tier doctors and medical care.
No waiting periods.
A safe haven for anyone traveling to the area for an abortion.
The only region in the Southeast with zero abortion bans (read: legal at every trimester!).
The only region in the Mid Atlantic with zero abortion restrictions.
WHY ABORTION ACCESS IS NEVER GUARANTEED WITHOUT STATEHOOD
No state constitution to ratify the right to abortion care.
Congress can overturn any DC legislation supporting abortion access (or any legislation, period).
The Dornan Amendment prevents DC from using its own Medicaid dollars for abortion care.
Some conservative congressmen have already vowed to eliminate abortion access in DC (F you, Josh Hawley).
The Hyde Amendment blocks federal dollars from being used toward abortion care.
New language, same b.s.: The Rosetta Stone to conservative anti-abortion rhetoric.
Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, abortion rights have won every single election. With the looming ‘24 election—and abortion rights batting 1,000 on the ballot—even the most extreme conservative candidates are trying to distance themselves from anti-abortion rhetoric (while still championing anti-abortion policies).
Abortion laws are built on abortion lies—and conservatives still aim to pass a national abortion ban. To cut through their BS, here’s the DCAF glossary for conservative language games.
ABORTION LIMITS
Really means: Abortion bans.
As abortion continues to win in the polls, Trump has tried to rebrand himself as “moderate” on abortion. He’s been critical of Republicans being “inarticulate” on abortion.
Let us be clear: Abortion limits are abortion bans, period. Limiting abortion care at certain times or in very specific instances is harmful to the pregnant person. Often, physicians—fearing criminal prosecution—cannot act in the best interest of the patient, instead contending with a risk management committee in the hospital.
PRO-BABY
Really means: Pro-life, anti-abortion.
In September ‘23, Senate Republicans had a closed-door meeting discussing recent polls where voters no longer resonated with the term “pro-life.” After sweeping losses, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) encouraged candidates to shift their messaging to “pro baby” to win over voters in 2024.
Don’t forget: If conservatives were “pro-baby” they would be pro affordable housing, pro free healthcare, and pro universal basic income (UBI). Spoiler alert: They’re not.
TAXPAYER-FUNDED ABORTION WITHOUT LIMITS
This doesn’t exist.
The RNSC is encouraging conservative candidates to use the above terminology when referencing Democrats’ position on abortion. This is not a thing. Due to the Hyde Amendment, federal tax dollars cannot be used to fund abortion, which comes down hardest on DC residents.
POST-BIRTH ABORTION / PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION
This doesn’t exist.
In an April ‘23 rally in Wisconsin, Donald Trump falsely claimed some liberal states allow “abortions post-birth” (a lie repeated by Ron Desantis in a July interview). This is a blatant lie built to fuel anti-abortion legislation. Post-birth abortion is nothing but a political term created by the National Right to Life Committee to prevent second term abortions.
LATE-TERM ABORTION
This isn’t a thing.
In regard to pregnancy, “late term” means past 40 weeks. “Late-term abortion” is not a real term, and it’s used to spread disinformation and stigmatize abortion later in pregnancy. In reality, only 1% of all abortions take place after 21 weeks—which is in the second trimester, not the third. There are only two places in the entire U.S. with abortion clinics who provide third-trimester abortions: the DC region and Boulder, Colorado. These procedures are the hardest to access, the most expensive, and often the most critical. We’re here to help you access the abortion you need at the time you need it—no judgment or stigma here!
Plus, many conservative-backed laws—like mandatory waiting periods or multiple visits—delay care, thereby causing abortions later in pregnancy.
ABORTION TOURISM
Really means: Pregnant people are fleeing their home state.
Abortion tourism is a term used by conservatives to vilify abortion seekers. They aim to portray abortion seekers as careless individuals taking a free vacation. In reality, it’s estimated 49% of abortion seekers lived below the federal poverty level (translation: They earn less than $13,590 annually), a stat many experts believe is far too low. According to the 2021-2022 Abortion Patient Survey, 75% of respondents lived 200% below the federal poverty line. Many of our callers are traveling from the Southeast, where abortion bans make care inaccessible. These individuals don’t want to travel—they have to. Around half of our callers are fleeing states where abortion care is banned or criminalized, and spending every dollar they have to get here.
Everyone deserves abortion care in their community, for their community, by their community.
COMMON-SENSE SOLUTIONS / THE COMPROMISE
Really means: An entry point to a total abortion ban.
As abortion continues to win on the ballot, conservatives have proposed a 15-week abortion ban as a national “compromise” or “common sense solution.” Do not be fooled: Conservatives’ true aim is to pass a federal heartbeat bill or life-at-conception bill. A 15-week ban is simply an entry point they think they can fool voters into agreeing to, then make the law more extreme later on.
Later ABORTIOn / Third-Trimester Abortion
Means: Abortion care. Period.
There are two reasons people get a third-trimester abortion. One, the pregnant person receives new information (for example, some serious fetal health issues are not detectable until the third trimester). Or two, barriers—like mandatory waiting periods, abortion bans, limited appointments, and high costs—can force a person to delay care until their third trimester.
Less than 1% of abortions occur after 21 weeks, but new restrictions are forcing more and more abortion seekers later into their pregnancies. As third-trimester abortions (and abortion later in pregnancy in general) continue to be stigmatized by conservatives AND our own movement, we’re proud to be a vital resource for funding this care.
The courts failed us. But our community? They have always, will always, rally behind us.
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Unlike many nonprofits, abortion funds—like DCAF—survive almost entirely through the generosity of our community. Due to the Hyde Amendment, abortion funds cannot receive federal funding (coupled with the Dornan Amendment, it’s a double loss for DCAF). AND due to the stigma surrounding abortion care, very few corporations, insurance companies, or philanthropic foundations are willing to sponsor abortion access.
So shoutout to all of you reading this—our incredible network of modern day Janes. Each year, you help thousands of callers access the care they need. Thank you.
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#HandsOffDC is a coalition of 50+ local and national organizations. In solidarity with communities across the country, #HandsOffDC raises awareness and fights to give DC residents the right to govern themselves.
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The DC Public Library offers free educational resources to the 700,000+ people residing in DC. With free workshops, classes, resume clinics, peer outreach programs, and digital and print books, the library is an invaluable resource to the city.
Pro tip: You can get COVID tests and NARCAN at your local DCPL!
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My Body My Festival wouldn’t exist without Alex Hamburger, the multi-talented force behind Burger Sounds. Alex entered DCAF’s world in the way so many friends of the fund have: In the wake of abortion bans and the overturn of Roe v. Wade, she fought back by lending her talent to her local abortion fund. From that seed grew this festival, a labor of love we hope to continue, year after year.
Alex, we couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for bringing the music—to abortion funding, to your hometown, and to DCAF. View the Burger Sounds website here.
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Shoutout to our fellow abortion funds holding up access in the DMV region with grit, Scotch tape, and elbow grease (even when faced with changing legislation, domestic terrorist attacks, and death threats from anti-abortion activists). Even in this region, which has more clinics per capita than anywhere else in the country, it’s not enough. We simply don’t have enough clinics, providers, or appointments to support every person who is now traveling to the DC region for care.
Please consider donating to Baltimore Abortion Fund, Blue Ridge Abortion Fund, Hampton Roads Reproductive Justice League, New River Abortion Access Fund, and Richmond Reproductive Freedom Fund.
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The DC branch of the American Civil Liberties Union is a human rights organization acting in the best interest of our community. Currently, they’re running campaigns to grant DC statehood (thereby protecting abortion access), revamp DC crisis response hotlines, and launch police-free schools.
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A special shoutout to Chelsea Kelly, our pro bono graphic designer. In response to the overturn of Roe, Chelsea designed DCAF an entirely new logo and branding suite, which we released in June 2023. Chelsea teamed up with us again to design our latest zine, “What the F*ck Happened?,” and kept the vibes going by designing our incredible My Body My Festival brand. Her artwork will be available in a variety of mediums for all our guests and community members to enjoy.
Chelsea, your talent and generosity is unparalleled. Thank you for bringing so much love to this work and to DCAF.
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Local copywriting and web design duo, Kara McCartney and Jules Devita, are the pro-abortion force behind MyBodyMyFestival.com. Made up of DC residents and DCAF superfans, Kara and Jules translate DCAF’s vital work into web design masterpieces, meant to reach more callers and more donors than ever before. Kara and Jules launched the rebranded DCAbortionFund.org in June 2023, and continues to support DCAF for any and all of our web needs.
Kara and Jules, you bring our dreams to life—on and offline. Thank you for being on our team. View their work here.