Abortion Storytelling

Abortion storytelling has been used for over 40 years to destigmatize abortion and improve access to abortion care. Through the years, abortion storytelling has evolved– spreading to new forms of media, taking place in varied settings, and most importantly, recognizing the experiences of those historically underrepresented in abortion storytelling projects. Here is a sampling of some of the empowered, vulnerable, and powerful stories people have shared. 

For a comprehensive list of abortion storytelling projects:

• Abortion Conversation Projects

  Many different organizations and projects have promoted abortion storytelling to destigmatize abortion care. This webpage provides a comprehensive list of these organizations.

On the importance of representative and inclusive storytelling:

• Ain’t I an Abortion Storyteller?

  rewire.news | Kenya Martin | April 9, 2019

  In this article, Kenya Martin, an abortion storyteller with WeTestify, calls for better inclusion and recognition of people of color in the abortion storytelling movement. She discusses both the immense importance of abortion storytelling being demographically representative of those who access abortion care and the dangers of whitewashing the history of abortion storytelling.

So is storytelling reducing stigma?

• Can stories reduce abortion stigma? Findings from a longitudinal cohort study

  Culture, Health & Sexuality | Kate Cockrill and Antonia Biggs | July 4, 2017

  This study from the University of California, San Francisco assesses the impact of abortion storytelling on abortion stigma through analysis of all-female book clubs exposed to conversations focused on reproductive choice. *Unfortunately due to copyright issues, we cannot post the full text of this paper. We have linked to the abstract and if you are a student or have access otherwise to research databases, you should be able to access the full text through those channels.

Can abortion storytelling hold political weight?

• Can Abortion Storytelling Break through Politics as Usual?

  rewire.news | Christine Grimaldi | October 24, 2016

  This piece ponders whether abortion storytelling can impact politicians’ choices. In the United States, elected representatives are intended to legislate by representing their constituents. However, when it comes to abortion storytelling, sharing the impacts of abortion on constituents’ lives does not always seem to be persuasive to politicians. This article questions whether abortion storytelling has the power to shift political opinion and outcome.

• 39 Abortion Stories Show Just How Important Abortion Access Is

  teenvogue.com | Danielle Campoamor | January 9, 2020

  In early January 2020, 39 senators signed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reconsider Roe v. Wade. Danielle Campoamor compiled 39 abortion stories– one for each senator who signed on to the brief.

• This Powerful Short Film Shows Real Abortion Stories

  refinery29.com | Erika W. Smith | January 21, 2020

  This short documentary, directed by Rayka Zehtabchi, features the stories of four people who have had abortions, situating their abortion experiences in the greater context of their lives.