By now, you’ve probably heard about Texas Senate Bill 8 (SB8, also known as the Texas Heartbeat Act).Â
The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to allow the abortion law that went into effect on September 1. SB8 bans surgical abortion as soon as cardiac activity is detectable. That’s around six weeks, which is before a lot of people know that they’re pregnant. Instead of having state officials enforce it, the law deputises private individuals. Regardless of where they live or whether they have any association with a patient, anyone can bring a civil lawsuit against an abortion provider or anyone else found to “aid and abet” illegal abortions, such as providing financial help or transportation. If successful, they could be awarded at least $10,000.
Texas Right to Life set up a whistleblower website where people submit anonymous tips about anyone they believe to be violating the law. Last week, domain registrar and web hosting company GoDaddy terminated the hosting of the Texas anti-abortion whistleblower website. In a statement issued September 3, Texas Right to Life said it is transferring to another provider, and the site would be restored within 24-48 hours. At the time of writing, it has not been restored.
Texas also passed Senate Bill 4 (SB4), which moved the deadline for medication-based abortion from 10 weeks into pregnancy to seven, before many people know they’re pregnant. SB4 also prohibits mail-order abortion medication.
The majority of Americans say that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. So, it isn’t surprising that SB8 and SB4 have been widely condemned. Not only do most Americans support reproductive freedom, but advocates also recognise that people who have the means will always be able to get an abortion. These laws will hurt Texas’s most vulnerable people: teenagers, low-income people, people of colour, and immigrants without legal status.
The Wild Hunt has a good editorial on the unique “Frankenstein monster” nature of it and why everyone should be concerned about SB8. There’s no doubt that other conservative states will move to pass similar laws.
Support abortion rights in your state
Encouraged by the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Texas law, Florida lawmakers are already working on a so-called heartbeat bill.
Find your legislators. Please familiarise yourself with their voting records on reproductive health issues. Write to them and express your support for abortion access. And support your local abortion fund.
How to help Texans
Educate yourself
Updates from national news and organisation can give you a broad look at what’s happening in Texas. To understand what Texans have been up against, listen to the people on the ground. If this is the first time you’re hearing about the battle over abortion in Texas, then you might be surprised to learn that the Lone Star State had some of the most complex and restrictive abortion laws in the country. Abortion care has been extremely difficult to access for years.
Donate
Your donations can help Texans access abortion care and support providers and legal battles. Dozens of organisations will continue to support patients and would welcome your support. Consider supporting the Texas-based community organisations that have been moving mountains for years. I’ve listed some of them below.Â
If you don’t know which organisation to support, the Chip in for Texas Abortion Funds at ActBlue will split your contribution between 10 recipients.
Host a fundraiser
Whether you collect $50 instead of birthday gifts or raise $2,000 at a yard sale, every event helps. Many organisations will even help you with your fundraiser.
Volunteer
If you’re in Texas, you can help with admin work, creating banners and posters, with childcare, event support, organising and advocacy, research, and more. If you live outside of Texas, some organisations, such as the TEA Fund and The Lilith Fund, offer remote volunteer opportunities. Many of these organisations also need volunteers that speak Spanish.
Support Texas organisations
ACLU Texas
Since 1938, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas has worked in the courts, legislature, and public education to protect civil rights and individual liberty.
The Afiya Center (TAC)
TAC work to transform the lives, health, and overall wellbeing of Black womxn and girls by providing refuge, education, and resources to achieve reproductive freedom.
Avow
Avow works to secure unrestricted abortion access for every Texan through community-building, education, and political advocacy.
The Bridge Collective
The Bridge Collective supports abortion services, including transportation and accommodation, and reproductive healthcare resources for Central Texans.
The Brigid Alliance
The Brigid Alliance arranges and funds long-distance travel support for those seeking later abortion care (after the first trimester) throughout the USA. It is named after St. Brigid of Kildare, who, according to legend, helped a young woman by "exercising the most potent strength of her ineffable faith, blessed her, causing the child to disappear, without coming to birth, and without pain".
Buckle Bunnies
Buckle Bunnies is a queer-led reproductive justice fund that helps Texans access abortion freely and safely.
Center for Reproductive Rights
The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organisation of lawyers and advocates who use the power of law to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights.
Clinic Access Support Network
Clinic Access Support Network mobilises volunteers to provide transportation, meal stipends, accommodations, childcare assistance, and compassionate care to people seeking abortion services in Houston.
Fund Texas Choice
Fund Texas Choice provides travel assistance to abortion clinics for Texas residents, whether an appointment is in Texas or out-of-state.
Indigenous Women Rising
Indigenous Women Rising is committed to honouring Native & Indigenous People's inherent right to equitable and culturally safe health options through accessible health education, resources and advocacy. Their abortion fund makes abortion accessible to Indigenous communities throughout the United States.
Jane's Due Process
Jane's Due Process helps young people in Texas navigate parental consent laws and confidentially access abortion and birth control.
La Frontera Fund
La Frontera Fund provides Rio Grande Valley residents seeking abortions with financial support and travel assistance.
The Lilith Fund
The Lilith Fund provides direct funding for abortion services for central and southern regions of Texas.
Mariposa Fund
The Mariposa Fund provides undocumented people seeking abortion services with financial, practical, emotional, and immigration support.
National Abortion Federation
The National Abortion Federation is the professional association of abortion providers. The NAF Hotline Fund helps patients who need an abortion and offers financial support for care and travel.
National Network of Abortion Funds
The National Network of Abortion Funds connects people who need an abortion with organisations that can support their financial and logistical needs. You can donate to the National Network of Abortion Funds or your local clinic in the network.
Plan C
Plan C provides up-to-date, comprehensive information on how people in the U.S. access abortion pills online and safely manage their own abortions.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas
Planned Parenthood is the largest single provider of reproductive and sexual health care in the country. Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas has health centres located throughout Central, East, North and West Texas, including Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, Paris, Tyler, Waco, and surrounding communities.
RAICES
RAICES, the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, provides free and low-cost legal and social services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees. The nonprofit agency has vowed to disobey the abortion ban and continue giving financial support to immigrants seeking abortion in Texas.
Texas Equal Access Fund (TEA Fund)
Texas Equal Access Fund provides financial assistance to people living in north, east, and west Texas who want an abortion and cannot afford it. TEA Fund also works to end barriers to abortion access through community education and shifting the current culture toward reproductive justice.
West Fund
West Fund provides direct funding for abortion services in El Paso and West Texas.
Whole Woman's Health Alliance
Whole Woman's Health Alliance provides reproductive care, including abortion care and advocacy to eradicate abortion stigma.
The Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP)
The Women's Reproductive Rights Assistance Project (WRRAP) assists women of all ages, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds gain access to safe, legal abortions or emergency contraceptives.
