How to Have Effective Conversations About Abortion at Family Gatherings

“The holidays are almost here, and I’ll admit I’m a little anxious about discussing certain topics at the dinner table with extended family. I’ve got some very outspoken anti-abortion relatives. And even though I work to advance reproductive rights for a living, it can still be incredibly difficult to have meaningful conversations with them about abortion. 

I know it’s going to come up, though, and I need to be prepared. Abortion continues to be a major issue in the news. Recently, Ohio became the seventh state in which voters directly backed abortion access with a ballot measure since Roe v. Wade was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. Also, over the past year, anti-abortion groups have tried to take mifepristone, a safe, effective drug that is often used in miscarriage and abortion care, off the shelves, and restrict medication abortion. Abortion is now banned or severely restricted in 21 U.S. states, and the right to determine what happens to your own body is being challenged in many others. 

Now is not the time to stay silent, even if it’s more comfortable to do so. The good news is that open, civil dialogue is the best way to make your voice heard and hopefully change hearts, minds and cultures. Here’s what I’m keeping in mind as I go into holiday gatherings with my family…..”