The most difficult and complex conversations are often the most important to have. As the election approaches, I feel a pull—as a person, and for my team at goop that feels strongly about this—to have a nuanced discussion with our community here about reproductive rights.
What often makes this issue so difficult to discuss, for me, is that moral clarity about abortion and moral clarity about abortion rights are two distinct things. I want to acknowledge that abortion, in and of itself, is a very tough thing. A narrative sometimes exists that abortion is used by those who want to protect it as birth control, that there is an insouciance about making that choice. I have never encountered one woman who does not view abortion with gravitas. Every woman I know who has gone through this procedure for any reason has felt deep grief about it. I have heard, too, stories of women I don’t know, for whom the choice was always clear. And there are so many women’s stories I will never know. That is why the right to an abortion is one that every person with a uterus should have. Abortion IS health care. It is a decision between a woman, her doctor, and her god.
So we asked our friends at the ACLU to share in today’s newsletter what’s at stake this election after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. They outline which races up and down the ballot will have great influence over who can get an abortion in specific states. And they include a conversation guide, with specific language and advice to help you talk to your friends and family about getting to the polls.
P.S. I do genuinely mean this to be a conversation: This is my place to write and connect with you, but it is not one-sided. Our editors read every email reply to these newsletters, and we’ve always cherished the dialogue and feedback that comes through. If you feel moved to reply, and you’d like us to know your story, we’d be honored to hear from you.