Georgia State Representative Erica Thomas addresses a protest against newly enacted abortion-ban legislation at the state Capitol in Atlanta on May 21. Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images
May 30, 2024 Story by: Editor
A recent poll reveals that a significant majority of men of color are in favor of legal abortion. According to the survey conducted by All* In Action Fund and HIT Strategies, 88% of Black men support fully legal abortion. Support among Asian American men stands at 83%, while 81% of Latino men also back abortion rights.
Over 80% of men of color consider support for abortion access a critical factor in their voting decisions for the upcoming November elections.
Nourbese Flint, president of All* In Action Fund, highlighted the importance of this demographic, stating, “For too long, people of color’s votes have been taken for granted. Now, with abortion playing a key role in the upcoming election, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only define what we are against, but to push toward a future that is inclusive of the communities that are left behind by our current systems. Our research shows that men of color are increasingly prioritizing abortion — now it’s on us to prioritize their voices and galvanize their support to have meaningful conversations and engage them in the fight for abortion access.”
Since the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 21 states have banned abortion, and others have imposed severe restrictions. Recently, Louisiana classified two abortion-inducing medications as controlled and dangerous substances.
These restrictions have led to medical students avoiding training in states with abortion bans and healthcare providers leaving states with restrictive abortion laws.
Donovan Atterberry, Ohio state manager at New Voices for Reproductive Justice, remarked, “The fight for abortion is often framed as a ‘women’s issue’ but this is about all of us. When my wife needed an abortion, what mattered was that I could support her in getting the care she needed. When it comes to our fundamental freedoms, men can listen, engage, and support the people in our lives to make the decisions that are best for them. The more people we have raising their voices for abortion access, the stronger our movement.”
The poll indicates that although men of color overwhelmingly support legal abortion, many are uncertain about how it personally affects them. About 51% feel abortion restrictions directly impact them, while 49% do not.
Additionally, 48% of men of color acknowledge that abortion and reproductive rights are issues that can affect men, and 59% believe it is crucial for men to educate themselves on abortion issues. Furthermore, 44% prioritize candidates who protect reproductive rights and abortion.
Terrance Woodbury, CEO and founding partner of HIT Strategies, noted, “Men of color overwhelmingly support access to abortion, and their votes will be critical to electing candidates who protect reproductive rights. Men of color often think of themselves as tacit supporters of abortion rights but have the potential to become active change-makers. This presents a major opportunity to mobilize men of color to take an active role in voting for abortion rights supporters this November.”
However, men of color are uncertain about their role in advocating for abortion rights. Only 38% believe it is important for men to attend rallies, 37% think it is important to speak up on social media, and 36% feel it is important to donate to supportive organizations and candidates.
Despite this, men of color recognize the broader impact of abortion access. Fifty-six percent agree that abortion access has economic implications, providing women with greater economic security through control over their reproductive choices.
Darryl Banks, co-founder and principal at P68, emphasized, “Black communities experience some of the most significant disparities in our health care and political systems. That’s why it’s crucial for us to stand against political interference in health care decisions. Building political power for abortion access requires all of us, including Black men. Together, we have the power through our votes to champion people’s freedom over their lives and make it clear that this issue impacts all of us.” Source: The Hill
