The Politicians Using Contraception as a Smoke Screen

Even a slight glance at politics in the United States shows that the overturning of Roe was unpopular to say the least. Turnout in elections has skyrocketed and rallied around abortion rights, the anti-abortion side has lost in both red and blue states in elections related to abortion, and a record high percent of individuals support abortion rights. While this may be a small comfort to voters in the United States who want and need abortion access, it is no excuse for complacency (we have to continue voting and fighting). One of the many ways Republicans in vulnerable areas in the United States are trying to defend their seats among truly inhumane, unreasonable, and unpopular policies is by pivoting to contraceptive access as a smokescreen. Don’t believe it for a second.

Republicans have already shown their true colors when it comes to reproductive rights, especially abortion rights. From appointing forced-birth judges, to supporting the overturning of Roe, it isn’t difficult to see their intent to decimate abortion access across the United States. However, one thing that is less spoken about is what are traditionally considered forms of birth control. One contraceptive bill suggested by Republicans attempted to define what birth control was by religious standards, meanwhile Republicans blocked last year’s bill that would have codified access to contraceptives. In the state of Idaho, universities were barred from providing many types of birth control by Republicans, and ally with groups that consider all contraceptive methods to be used for abortion. The idea that Republicans support any form of birth control stands against pages and quotes of evidence to the contrary.

Aside from this, it also perpetuates abortion stigma by suggesting that contraceptive methods should be the sole alternative to abortion. The thing is that contraceptive methods only work if you aren’t pregnant. The only option for a pregnant individual who does not wish to be pregnant is abortion. There is no way around that. Politicians seeking to deny the damage they have done and intend to do with further and present abortion bans may use supporting access to birth control as a smokescreen; do not fall for it.

For accurate information about abortion, please download the Euki reproductive health app, or visit us at abortionpillinfo.org or on Facebook. Remember, you have power, and you can use it at the polls.