We Testify

We Testify is an organization dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who have abortions, increasing the spectrum of abortion storytellers in the public sphere, and shifting the way the media understands the context and complexity of accessing abortion care. We Testify invests in abortion storytellers to elevate their voices and expertise, particularly those of color, those from rural and conservative communities, those who are queer-identified, those with varying abilities and citizenship statuses, and those who needed support when navigating barriers while accessing abortion care.

[wetestify]

Today is the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. 

At a time when communities of color, LGBTQ people, and many others have been denied access to abortion, “Ours to Tell” is a short film from We Testify, @plannedparenthood & Academy Award-winning director Rayka Zehtabchi, narrated by @natasharothwell, with a call for compassion & protection for people who have abortions. Because every single person deserves to be in charge of their own bodies and tell their own stories. Everyone loves someone who had an abortion.

[wetestify]

We Testify is proud to announce the release of #OursToTell, our project with @plannedparenthood, Ventureland Studio and PRETTYBIRD to explore how race, class, gender identity and access to abortion means freedom to pursue the futures we want. The film features We Testify storytellers Brittany and Nick, and it’s narrated by actress @natasharothwell!  Watch it now at ourstotell.org.

[wetestify]

We Testify is back in action and as dedicated as ever to the leadership and representation of people who have abortions. Learn more at WeTestify.org

[comics-for-choice]

In honor of our recent Eisner Nomination, Comics for Choice is now available as a pay-what-you-want PDF download from the National Network of Abortion Funds website! 

Read it, enjoy it, and share it with those who need it. Please consider making a donation to NNAF if you can, to support their mission to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access, so that everyone can have full reproductive choice.

If you’re a comics professional, you can vote on the Eisners here.

[wetestify]

Exciting news! Comics for Choice is available as a pay-what-you-want downloadable PDF!

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View this post on Instagram

On Tuesday, We Testify Abortion Storyteller Kristine Kippins shared her abortion story, and how she realized her experience was one of privilege at the @dcabortionfund holiday party. Watch to her entire speech, and read her full remarks at https://wetestify.org/stories/kristine-kippins-abortion-privilege/ “There were health providers in my city who could give me the care I needed without having to jump through any government mandated hoops that have nothing to do with providing me with quality health care. I had the option of using health insurance, and then used it to prevent future pregnancies. And I had the personal funds to pay for my abortion all on my own. I was actually at a retreat hosted by the National Network of Abortion Funds for the first cohort of We Testify abortion storytellers when it finally hit home just how privileged I was. I had moving heard stories, first hand of people who had to take out payday loans in order to afford their abortion. People who had to relive traumas in order receive the care they needed. People who were unable to get the care they wanted and are now in the complicated position of loving children that they didn’t want.”

[plannedparenthood]

Read My Voice, My Choice by Brittany Mostiller and illustrator Lilly Taing about how her personal experiences called her to action for reproductive justice.

via Rewire

[wetestify]

We Testify Abortion Storyteller Brittany Mostiller shares her story in Comics for Choice. Order your copy to read her full story at the National Network of Abortion Funds’ store: shop.abortionfunds.org

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Comics for Choice Contributors: MJ Flores & Kat Fajardo!

MJ Flores is an abortion storyteller with We Testify, a leadership program of the National Network of Abortion Funds, and shares her story to confront abortion stigma and challenge anti-abortion legislation. By day, MJ is a public sector strategy consultant working on health, economics, and gender issues in the United States and abroad.

Kat Fajardo (@katfajardoart) is a freelance comic artist, illustrator, and editor of La Raza Anthology. You can find her working hard at her Brooklyn-based studio creating playful and colorful work about self acceptance and Latinx culture.

MJ writes about the obstacles she faced to getting an abortion, in both Kenya and Texas, and how important it was to share her story.

Support Comics for Choice, read more great comics and help protect abortion rights!

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Comics for Choice Contributors: Mallory McMaster & Kate Kerns!

Mallory McMaster is an abortion activist, dog mom, terrible cook, and cleaning enthusiast hailing from Cleveland, OH.

Kate Kerns is a graphic designer and illustrator from Kansas, now living in Austin, TX. Kate graduate with a degree in Communications and is currently freelancing. She previously worked as a victim advocate for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and has interned for a handful of social justice organizations in the past.

Pre-order Comics for Choice to read more comics, while helping keep abortion accessible!

[wetestify]

Only 5 days left to get your copy of Comics for Choice featuring the abortion stories of several We Testify storytellers!

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Comics for Choice Contributors: Mallory McMaster & Kate Kerns!

Mallory McMaster is an abortion activist, dog mom, terrible cook, and cleaning enthusiast hailing from Cleveland, OH.

Kate Kerns is a graphic designer and illustrator from Kansas, now living in Austin, TX. Kate graduate with a degree in Communications and is currently freelancing. She previously worked as a victim advocate for the National Domestic Violence Hotline and has interned for a handful of social justice organizations in the past.

Pre-order Comics for Choice to read more comics, while helping keep abortion accessible!

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Comics for Choice Contributors: Samantha Romero & Erin Lux!

Samantha Romero studied Global Studies at Randolph Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia and is pursuing her Master’s in Sociology at the University of Texas at El Paso. She was an organizer for the Wendy Davis Campaign, which sparked her passion for reproductive justice. Samantha works full time at a Texas state senate office, is the President of the West Fund, and a member of We Testify.

Erin Lux (@erin-lux) is a Brooklyn based illustrator and cartoonist. She’s the creator of the webcomic, Fascist Friends, and many other short irreverent comics.

Pre-order Comics for Choice, help keep abortion accessible for all!

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Comics for Choice Contributors: Candice Russell & Laura Lannes!

Candice Russell is a writer and abortion storyteller whose work has been featured in Teen Vogue, ELLE, Glamour and The Huffington Post. She is a proud NNAF We Testify storytelling fellow and currently serves on the board of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas. Candice lives in Dallas with her schnauzer, Madden, where she can usually be found waiting in line for what is likely her third latte.

Laura Lannes (@lauralannes) is a cartoonist and illustrator from Brazil living in New York City.

Pre-order Comics for Choice, help protect abortion rights!

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Comics for Choice Contributors: Anise Simon & Sarah Crowe!

Anise Simon lives in Durham, NC. Anise is enrolled in night classes for Electrical Systems Technology at her local community college and works as the Southern Funds Coordinator at the National Network of Abortion Funds, where she provides support to grassroots abortion funds in the South. Anise is also a helpline volunteer with the Carolina Abortion Fund. Loves: NC hip hop, pimiento cheese, safe spaces, and adventures.

Sarah Crowe (@eworcharas) is a sculptor and cartoonist made in Austin but made for New York.

Pre-order Comics for Choice to read more, while helping protect reproductive rights!

[wetestify]

Check out We Testify Abortion Storyteller Anise Simon’s story, “Tikkun Olam” in Comics for Choice.

Pre-order your copy here -- proceeds benefit the National Network of Abortion Funds: https://www.generosity.com/medical-fundraising/comics-for-choice-anthology-for-abortion-rights

[abortionlove-blog]

It’s time for an abortion love story.

It’s time to have conversations with your loved ones about abortion access. Participate in a campaign we’re calling Abortion Love Stories and share your love for abortion access and abortion funds with the people you care about.

Starting on May 22nd until May 28th, 2017, more than 1,000 people across the country will be sharing their abortion love stories with friends, family, and acquaintances. As a supporter of your local fund we hope you’ll join in as a way of taking action, changing culture, and building stronger relationships in your own life.

Whether you want to move a family member to a place of greater tolerance or move a friend to join you in radical action for abortion access, this campaign is a great way to start the conversation!

Start here with this toolkit to read an overview of the week of conversation and action, then dig in deeper to a bunch of resources, exercises to prepare you for your conversations, and opportunities to get to know your own abortion love story a little bit better. 

En Español

[wetestify]

Abortion should be covered by taxpayer dollars, in every state and under Medicaid!

[abortionfunds]

“Revoking this guidance is still intentionally hateful, discriminatory, and meant to harm them.” Read our statement in response to POTUS rescinding guidelines supporting transgender and gender-variant students at AbortionFunds.org/news

[wetestify]

Everyone loves someone who had an abortion -- no matter what language you speak. Share these images with loved ones, make them your cover photos, and download them to share with the world! See our other images here.

“Everyone loves someone who has had an abortion —and it is that love that will be key to our liberation.” - Yamani Hernandez, National Network of Abortion Funds

[rewiredotnews]

As I enter the exam room, I am wondering, how much emotional labor will I have to provide today? Am I going to add a small Gender 101 workshop into my intake? Will this nurse even bother to relay the message about my pronouns to the doctor? Do I want to have a separate mini-workshop for my doctor? Mostly, I just want my medical issue handled, but by the end of the visit, I’m always exhausted and disheartened because of the time I had to spend affirming my identity.

Six Ways to Meet the Needs of Trans and Gender-Nonconforming Patients, by Jack Qu’emi Gutiérrez at Rewire (via wearerewire)