Planning Your Abortion Access House Party
In this kind of house party, the host leads a discussion on abortion access and encourages people to commit to showing up in support of abortion access now that the U.S. Supreme Court has ended our federal constitutional right to abortion.
Here are the steps to prep.
Talking About Abortion: How-to Guide
Use your shared values to have honest, open discussions about abortion and help reduce abortion shame and stigma.
Decide your date and location.
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Choose a date that is 2-3 weeks out to give you and your participants time to prepare.
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Consider a weekend if most of your attendees work Monday to Friday. You could host a brunch in the morning or a light dessert event in the mid-afternoon. If the weekend doesn't work, consider a happy hour during the week.
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Choose a location that is convenient, familiar, accessible, and comfortable for your guests — like your own residence or a local park.
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After you choose a location, make any arrangements you need to book the space. For example, ask your roommates if it’s OK to take over your living room for the party.
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Not comfortable doing this in person right now? Opt for an online gathering on Zoom, Google Meet, or Facebook messaging rooms. If you opt for an online meeting, consider inviting your larger network of friends and family in other states!
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Arrange food and drink.
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If you and any party helpers you have can provide drinks and/or food, great! If not, don’t worry.
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You don’t have to provide all of the food or drinks. Ask people to bring something to share, or just for themselves to enjoy.
Assign roles.
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Host
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This should be you since it’s your event!
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Being host means that you will secure the venue, invite the guests, move the agenda forward, and answer general questions about the event!
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Co-host
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You may find it helpful to have a co-host during the event. A helper can catch people up if they’re late, refill food and drink, and answer logistical questions (such as if someone needs help locating water, restroom, etc.).
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During the call-to-action section (see below), they should also help secure commitments by helping people think through their networks and draft messages.
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The helper can also take pictures during the event.
Invite your guests.
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To get started creating your guest list, think of people who are interested in social justice and supportive of reproductive rights already, as well as people who may be unsure of how they feel about abortion access, but could become supportive with more education.
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To help you think about groups of people you know, fill out this worksheet.
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Once you have your date and location, invite your guests!
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Reach out to them in the medium you usually chat. That may be text, a phone call, Facebook, or Instagram.
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Reach out 2-3 weeks before the event in order to give attendees ample time to plan.
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Keep a list of who you’ve invited, how, and what their RSVP status is.
Develop your story of self and get ready to tell it.
Storytelling is a powerful tool to connect with people on shared values and to understand the urgency of taking action now. Prepare to open your event with sharing your story about:
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your own abortion;
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helping someone you love get an abortion; or
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your journey to support abortion loudly and proudly.
Answer these questions to get started on crafting your story.
Explain the urgency of this moment.
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The Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Learn the facts, so you can really set the stage for your guests to show the importance of fighting for abortion access, right now.
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You may also want to refresh on what abortion access looks like across the country.
3. Tell your guests what this decision will mean for abortion access and sexual and reproductive health.
Prep materials.
Here are some recommended materials for a successful party:
- Sign-in sheet
- Pens
- Paper, in case people want to take notes
- Food
- Drinks
- Cups
- Napkins
- Plates/bowls
Confirm attendees.
Do this the day before and right before your event:
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Send a reminder email and
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Reach out via text, Facebook, Instagram, or however you first invited them!