EMILYs List, Abortion Measures, and a Reproductive Choice Sammy

A roundup of abortion ballot measures, and a sandwich collab with Ashley Manta

There’s so much happening right now that I found myself fully unable to do anything today for a few hours in a weird sort of overwhelmed paralysis. I just typed that, and then I looked it up — it’s totally a thing! It’s even called overwhelm paralysis! Wild. I have no doubt that most of you can relate. We’re stressed about the upcoming election, we’re hearing a never-ending monstrous stream of bigotry and racism from right-wing dipshits, we’re navigating the raging storm of life in 2024. It’s a lot.

But I’m also inspired by activists, women’s rights advocates, writers, artists and noisemakers in general. And I was beyond thrilled to join the Digital Content Creator Council at EMILYs List with several of them this week! EMILYs List works to elect Democratic pro-choice women up and down the ballot and across the country. The group has helped elect over 200 influential women like Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Vice President Kamala Harris.

The E-List is a new initiative to get the vote out by amplifying content creators to reach young, diverse audiences with messaging about reproductive rights and representation in politics. It’s an honor to join Phoebe Robinson, Tega Reacts, Simone Rossi, Autumn Breon, Pari & Eve, and Ally Rooker on the E-List. I can’t wait to see what we all cook up; I’ve got some serious sammies to make!

photo credit: Erin Patrice O’Brien

Abortion measures are on the ballot in 10 states

Millions of Americans will vote to protect abortion access next week, and Republicans are worried, because they know that Americans support legal abortion and they could very well lose the election over their attempts to control our bodies. I made a video with a rundown of the 11 initiatives that will be on ballots next week. Mother Jones published an excellent in-depth look at the measures; here’s my quick summary.

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• Arizona currently has a 15-week abortion ban. Prop. 139 would enshrine a fundamental right to abortion in the Arizona constitution until the point of fetal viability, and abortions would be allowed later in pregnancy to save a patient’s life or protect her physical or mental health.
  Vote YES on Prop. 139

• Colorado is a critical abortion access state with no gestational limits. Amendment 79 would establish a constitutional right to abortion and repeal a ban prohibiting the use of state dollars to fund abortion. Amendment 79 needs 55 percent of votes to pass.
  Vote YES on Amendment 79

• Florida has a six-week abortion ban. Amendment 4 would enshrine the freedom to seek an abortion before fetal viability into the state constitution.
  Vote YES on Amendment 4

• Maryland is a critical access point for people seeking abortion care. Question 1, which does not use the word abortion, would establish the constitutional right to “reproductive freedom,” including the freedom to decide whether to continue or end a pregnancy. 
  Vote YES on Question 1

• Missouri has a total ban on abortion. Missouri voters will decide on the right to “reproductive freedom” with Amendment 3, which would establish a constitutional right to abortion.
  Vote YES on Amendment 3

• In Montana, abortion is currently legal until fetal viability, despite the GOP's repeated attempts to restrict access. Constitutional Initiative 128 would establish a constitutional right to abortion until viability, and prevent the government from penalizing anyone assists someone else in exercising that right.
  Vote YES on CI 128

• Nebraska currently bans abortion after 12 weeks. It's the only state with two abortion measures on the ballot. Anti-abortion leaders want voters to be confused!
  Initiative 439 would establish a state constitutional right to abortion up to fetal viability or when necessary to protect the “health or life” of the pregnant patient.
  But Initiative 434 would ban abortion after the first trimester, with few exceptions.
  If both measures pass, the one with the most votes wins.
  Vote YES on 439 and NO on 434

• In Nevada, abortion is currently legal up to 25 weeks and 6 days. Question 6 would constitutionally enshrine the right to abortion until fetal viability, or for the health or life of the mother. If it passes, it would have to be approved again in 2026.
  Vote YES on Question 6

• In New York, abortion is legal until fetal viability. Prop. 1 would create protections for the rights of pregnant people by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, including "pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health care and autonomy."
  Vote YES on Prop. 1

• South Dakota has a total abortion ban. Amendment G would implement a trimester-based system allowing increasing restrictions on abortion as a pregnancy progresses. It is not supported by some abortion rights groups that say it doesn't offer enough protections for pregnant people. At least it's something.
  Vote YES on Amendment G 

Reproductive Freedom Through Sterilization

Ashley Manta

is a certified sexologist, and a sex and relationship coach. I’m also lucky to call her a very cool friend. We met years ago at a HIGH TIMES Cannabis Cup, where Ashley gave a rousing (LOL) keynote speech about cannabis and sex. Her bona fides are rock solid (Betty Dodson was her mentor FFS!), she’s whip smart, and she knows how to take care of herself.

I was very moved by Ashley’s recent essay on her choice to have her fallopian tubes removed to ensure that she won’t get pregnant, while also reducing her risk of getting ovarian cancer by a staggering 80 percent. Give it a read.

Sterilization, a lost friend, and body autonomy

I’d never heard of a bilateral salpingectomy; I didn’t even know it was an option for women who don’t want kids. I was never told about it — I had to beg my crappy OBGYN for an IUD. So I asked Ashley if we could collaborate on a video about her choice. We made a simple sandwich with good bread, good olive oil, prosciutto, burrata, and micro arugula. Don’t forget the cracked pepper when you make your own version! It’s delicious. Here it is:

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Collaborating on a video like this; learning more every day about reproductive choice, freedom and justice; listening to women’s stories; watching feminist activists like

Jessica Valenti

and

Olivia Julianna

fight for our rights; these are the things that get me off the couch when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

My mother passed away last week, so it’s been a tricky time, but I know that she was proud of me for following in her feminist footsteps. I’ve been thinking about it a lot. And I know that we’re not going back, no matter what happens at the polls next week. Our community has been forged in fire by the madness of the GOP’s attempts to control our bodies. We’re strong, we’re motivated, and we’re resilient. We’re gonna be ok, together.

So stay fierce, you beautiful badasses (and excellent men!). More soon. MJ ❤️