Our world is in a state of disarray. With Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma uprooting families, destroying entire countries and taking the lives of both residents and first responders, every American is doing our part to help those in need. For many this is donating to the American Red Cross. But I donated to an abortion clinic. Here’s why.
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tsunamis, cause far more than destruction to buildings and cities. People are more likely to engage in unsafe sexual behaviors when disaster strikes, particularly in impoverished communities. Sexual and reproductive health is ignored by disaster relief efforts, putting people at risk for unplanned pregnancies, STDs and sexual assault. People donate supplies, such as food, water and clothing. But we forget about donating condoms, other forms of birth control and tampons.
As the founder of an adoption agency, I always tell pregnant people that unplanned pregnancy rocks worlds. When a pregnant person enters the doors of an abortion clinic, they enter with the weight of the world on their shoulders. They enter with college dreams, careers they have worked hard for, kids they love, homes they could lose, unpaid bills, hungry bellies and broken hearts. These challenges are already huge barriers for people to process their choices for an unplanned pregnancy. Add in restrictive legislation, and it’s no wonder pregnant people feel like they don't have options.
And when a natural disaster strikes, those already facing an unplanned pregnancy are even more vulnerable. For many, they are now facing homelessness, job loss, financial burdens far beyond their means to absorb and a level of instability few among us have ever had to face.
Yes, I run an adoption agency. And I believe passionately in the power of open adoption to change pregnant people and their children's lives. But I also recognize it's only one option, and for many people whose lives have been devastated by natural disaster, it's not the right path for them. Which is why access to safe and affordable abortions is as life-saving as food, water and medicine.
I’m a fierce advocate for all pregnant people. That’s why, instead of the American Red Cross, I donated to an abortion fund offering free abortions to any hurricane victims. In the face of such tragedy, my faith in humanity was restored when that clinic, who is facing the same hurricane as its clients, said to these pregnant people, "We choose to fight your battle rather than our own." To me that is grace like no other, and it is grace I want to support.
To help cover the cost of abortion care for someone affected by Hurricane Harvey, donate to Whole Woman’s Health Stigma Relief Fund today.
Molly Rampe Thomas is founder and CEO of Choice Network, an adoption agency that trusts people and their choices. The agency is on a mission to change the definition of family through supported open adoptions, no judgment abortion conversations and active parenting resources and counsel. For more information, visit choicenetworkadoptions.com.
