This blog post was supposed to announce the launching of our individual tickets for the big event on June 4. (We're still doing that below, don't skip it.) But with the news that broke last night, I had to make some adjustments.
Last night, Politico broke the story that a Supreme Court decision had been leaked before it was finalized. The headline says it all: The Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. It is important to note this is NOT a final decision, and for now, abortion is still legal in all 50 states (to some extent, anyway.)
Many of us were preparing for this for months, years even. But If I'm being honest, even though I've worked in the abortion rights movement for years, I hadn't fully processed this could be real. Now here I sit, trying to understand it.
If this decision to fully overturn Roe is adopted, 26 states are likely to make abortion illegal. This is not hyperbole, and it is not a drill. And as with the realities of Pre-Roe, the burden will fall hardest on Black and Brown people who are able to get pregnant. We have evidence to prove this: after the Hyde Amendment (prohibiting Medicaid funding for abortion) went into effect, a Latina woman in Texas was the first documented case of "underground" abortions causing death. Because Black and Brown people are already facing the most impact from multiple systems, they will undoubtedly be the first to be prosecuted in these states for even having a miscarriage. That is just one of the many realities we are about to enter, and we have to be clear about the stakes.
And let's be clear, the opponents of abortion access will not stop with Roe. They don't like us as queer and trans people existing with pride. At risk next are the anti-sodomy laws that SCOTUS overturned, and then dismantling marriage equality—all decisions the Court made under the precedent set by Roe. We have a lot to lose.
I am an organizer by training and trade, and so normally this is where I would present a plan of action. A list of steps we must take, the things we have to do to fight back—and we will. But for today, I am asking our supporters, our members, and our friends to just allow space for processing. Let us feel the heaviness of this moment, and let us take care of ourselves. This election will be critical for bodily autonomy. And we will write soon to talk about what we have to do. But for now, we are allowed to yell and scream, cry and sleep, and care for ourselves through the immense weight of this decision. Tomorrow there will be work to do. Today, the work is caring for ourselves so we can fight tomorrow.
CHER the Movement
Tickets are on sale now!
While the news is heavy, we MUST find time for joy, and let's be real—we still have to keep funding our movement work!
Today you can buy your individual tickets for our big event! The main event is June 4, 12-3pm.
Tickets get you into the event to catch the show, bid on silent auction items, and have great cocktails of course!
The Ticket+ gets you into the main event, plus some EQNM CHER the Movement SWAG.
VIP Tickets get you into the VIP Brunch at 11am, plus all the rest (and you get your own line at the bar to ensure speedier service during the show!).