IN 2025, ABORTION IS UNDER ATTACK.
Looking back to look forward:
In the 1990s, a decade-long conservative White House dealt a brutal blow to abortion access. When the Supreme Court granted states the power to restrict abortion care through parental consent laws, mandatory waiting periods, and gag orders, musicians rallied around feminist issues through the first Rock for Choice concert.
In 2025, the White House, Senate, and House are all hostile to abortion access. While DC could only vote for one of the three, we’re still making our voices heard.
Our right to bodily autonomy…
depends on DC’s right to local autonomy.
DC is a current haven for abortion access, providing care for those within the DC region and those traveling to the area. But until DC becomes a state, our right to bodily autonomy is never guaranteed.
Under the District Clause of the Constitution (Article 1, Section 8, Clause 17), Congress can stick their noses into virtually all DC affairs. Congress reviews all DC legislation—and can modify or change that legislation—before it becomes law. As history has shown, the same people who don’t respect the District’s right to self-governance are the same people who don’t respect our rights to govern our own bodies.
Members of the Congress have already expressed interest in limiting DC Home Rule. Our city hosts a President who's sworn to “take over” the District—whatever that means. We’re not sure what the new administration will bring for abortion access, but we know our rights won’t be safe unless DC can govern itself.
Keep your laws off our city and off our bodies.
WHY DC IS A CURRENT HAVEN FOR ABORTION ACCESS
No parental consent laws.
All-trimester abortion care.
Top-tier doctors and medical care.
No waiting periods.
A safe haven for anyone traveling to the area for an abortion.
The only region in the Southeast with zero abortion bans (read: legal at every trimester!).
The only region in the Mid Atlantic with zero abortion restrictions.
WHY ABORTION ACCESS IS NEVER GUARANTEED WITHOUT STATEHOOD
No state constitution to ratify the right to abortion care.
Congress can overturn any DC legislation supporting abortion access (or any legislation, period).
The Dornan Amendment prevents DC from using its own Medicaid dollars for abortion care.
Some conservative congressmen—with the support of our 47th president—have already vowed to eliminate abortion access in DC (F you, Josh Hawley).
The Hyde Amendment blocks federal dollars from being used toward abortion care.
The courts failed us. But our community? They have always, will always, rally behind us.
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Unlike many nonprofits, abortion funds—like DCAF—survive almost entirely through the generosity of our community. Due to the Hyde Amendment, abortion funds cannot receive federal funding (coupled with the Dornan Amendment, it’s a double loss for DCAF). AND due to the stigma surrounding abortion care, very few corporations, insurance companies, or philanthropic foundations are willing to sponsor abortion access.
So shoutout to all of you reading this—our incredible network of modern day Janes. Each year, you help thousands of callers access the care they need. Thank you.
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#HandsOffDC is a coalition of 50+ local and national organizations. In solidarity with communities across the country, #HandsOffDC raises awareness and fights to give DC residents the right to govern themselves.
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The DC Public Library offers free educational resources to the 700,000+ people residing in DC. With free workshops, classes, resume clinics, peer outreach programs, and digital and print books, the library is an invaluable resource to the city.
Pro tip: You can get COVID tests and NARCAN at your local DCPL!
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My Body My Festival wouldn’t exist without Alex Hamburger, the multi-talented force behind Burger Sounds. Alex entered DCAF’s world in the way so many friends of the fund have: In the wake of abortion bans and the overturn of Roe v. Wade, she fought back by lending her talent to her local abortion fund. From that seed grew this festival, a labor of love we hope to continue, year after year.
Alex, we couldn’t do this without you. Thank you for bringing the music—to abortion funding, to your hometown, and to DCAF. View the Burger Sounds website here.
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Shoutout to our fellow abortion funds holding up access in the DMV region with grit, Scotch tape, and elbow grease (even when faced with changing legislation, domestic terrorist attacks, and death threats from anti-abortion activists). Even in this region, which has more clinics per capita than anywhere else in the country, it’s not enough. We simply don’t have enough clinics, providers, or appointments to support every person who is now traveling to the DC region for care.
Please consider donating to Baltimore Abortion Fund, Blue Ridge Abortion Fund, Hampton Roads Reproductive Justice League, New River Abortion Access Fund, and Richmond Reproductive Freedom Fund.
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The DC branch of the American Civil Liberties Union is a human rights organization acting in the best interest of our community. Currently, they’re running campaigns to grant DC statehood (thereby protecting abortion access), revamp DC crisis response hotlines, and launch police-free schools.
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A special shoutout to Chelsea Kelly, our pro bono graphic designer. In response to the overturn of Roe, Chelsea designed DCAF an entirely new logo and branding suite, which we released in June 2023. Chelsea teamed up with us again to design our latest zine, “What the F*ck Happened?,” and kept the vibes going by designing our incredible My Body My Festival brand. Her artwork will be available in a variety of mediums for all our guests and community members to enjoy.
Chelsea, your talent and generosity is unparalleled. Thank you for bringing so much love to this work and to DCAF.
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Local copywriting and web design duo, Kara McCartney and Jules Devita, are the pro-abortion force behind MyBodyMyFestival.com. Made up of DC residents and DCAF superfans, Kara and Jules translate DCAF’s vital work into web design masterpieces, meant to reach more callers and more donors than ever before. Kara and Jules launched the rebranded DCAbortionFund.org in June 2023, and continues to support DCAF for any and all of our web needs.
Kara and Jules, you bring our dreams to life—on and offline. Thank you for being on our team. View their work here.