At the time of posting this newsletter, matters in Tallahassee have wrapped up. The Legislature will reconvene to discuss the budget, however any bill that was not passed is officially dead. Thank you for your tireless advocacy the last few months to fight for the Florida we deserve. The work continues.
- HB 1205, the Attack on Citizen-Led Amendments bill has passed the Legislature and is on its way to the Governor’s desk. We’re calling his office at 850-717-9210 asking him to VETO this anti-freedom bill.
Florida’s Abortion Ban: One Year Later
May 1st, 2025 marked an anniversary none of us wanted to see.
Florida has been under a near-total abortion ban for a grueling year, despite a strong majority of Floridians opposing this ban and every one of us, each in our own ways, pouring everything we had into ending it.
Here are three important items we wish to amplify:
- The FRF Coalition put out this press statement, featuring advocates and a storyteller. One thing we can all do right now is donate to abortion funds who are supporting patients every single day.
- Please utilize this Social Media Toolkit through the month of May.
- Help us collect and share stories to demonstrate the real impacts of this legislation.
We want to extend extra gratitude to all who have made this year a little more possible: the abortion providers, funds, doulas, clinic escorts, therapists, advocates, lawyers, pilots, sex educators, self-managed abortion experts, elders, students, spiritual supporters, artists, and anyone who told their story and whose story is still unfolding.
One day, this ban will be something we will get to say we ended: until then and surely after, may we find solidarity in the Coalition and know that we take care of us.
Events & Volunteer Opportunities
DIY Zines and Chill w/Florida Access Network
Friday, May 9th 7:00pm-9:00pm EST
Orlando
Click here to RSVP.
How all Politics Became Reproductive Politics Study Group w/National Women’s Liberation
Tuesday, May 13th 7:30-9:30pm EST
Click here to register for the virtual study group.
A Night Under the Superstars w/Tampa Bay Abortion Fund
Friday, May 16th 7:00pm-10:00pm EST
Tampa
Click here to register.
Miami Town Hall Meeting w/ Power U
Saturday, May 24th 1:00pm-4:00pm EST
Miami
Click here to RSVP.
News Roundup
Florida
Abortion groups, doctors on 1-year anniversary of 6-week abortion ban declare: ‘We’re still here’
By Jackie Llanos and Christine Sexton, Florida Phoenix
A year into Florida’s ban on most abortions after six weeks’ gestation, the network of groups and doctors providing access to pregnancy terminations hasn’t vanished.
OB-GYNs see effects of Florida’s 6-week abortion ban play out in clinics
By Marissa Bagg, NBC 6 Miami
Related: One year later: Florida’s 6-week abortion ban reshapes healthcare and politics
The window of time women have access to abortion care in Florida changed overnight one year ago. A six-week abortion ban replaced the state’s 15-week abortion ban from one day to the next.
Mixed Reaction One Year into Florida’s Six Week Abortion Ban
By Karen Curtis, WIOD Miami
Florida’s six-week abortion ban continues one year after its implementation and OBGYN Dr. Cherise Felix with Planned Parenthood says many women and men are changing their family planning.
Teens need parental consent to get STI treatment, but not to work full-time, House votes
By Jackie Llanos and Jay Waagmeester, Florida Phoenix
Although older teens could work unlimited hours, they wouldn’t be able to get treatment for sexually transmitted infections on their own under two bills the Florida House approved Friday.
Florida’s maternal health care grade improves, but Black women still face high risks, report says
By Bridgett Ellison, WKMG Orlando
Florida received a “D+” grade from the March of Dimes when it comes to adequate maternal health care.
Concerns mount amid Black maternal health disparities in Florida
By Keitha Nelson, First Coast News
There is a crisis underway in our nation’s maternity wards — maternal mortality rates are on the rise in the United States.
From Montana to Florida—How Past Pro-Abortion Ballot Measures Are Helping Fuel a Movement
By Livia Follet, Ms. Magazine
During the 2024 elections, 10 statewide abortion ballot measures aimed at expanding abortion rights in their respective states were certified for the general election ballot, marking the most in a single year.
Childcare in the Capitol: As more women run for office, some are bringing their kids
By Kate Payne, Associated Press
When Florida state Rep. Fiona McFarland’s infant daughter, Grace Melton, crawled for the first time, the mom of four was right next door, hard at work with her legislative policy staff in the state Capitol.
National
What Trump Has Done on Reproductive Health Care In His First 100 Days
By Chantelle Lee, Time
Within his first month in office, Trump acted quickly on a number of issues related to reproductive health.
The First 100 Days of the Trump-Vance Administration: Attacks on Reproductive Freedom and Scientific Evidence
By Amy Friedrich-Karnik, Anna Bernstein and Emma Stoskopf-Ehrlich, Guttmacher Institute
In its first 100 days, the Trump-Vance administration has attempted to dismantle and disrupt a broad range of domestic and international programs and policies, sowing chaos and negatively impacting the lives of millions.
What “fertilization president” Trump can learn from state efforts to expand IVF access
By Sarah Kwon, KFF Health News
For nearly three agonizing years, Mariah Freschi and her husband have been trying to have a second baby.
NC emerges as southern hub for abortion access amid new regional restrictions
By Rachel Crumpler, North Carolina Health News
North Carolina has emerged as a vital access point for abortion care in the South in the wake of a wave of restrictions in neighboring states since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
Trump Restores Title X Funding for Two Anti-Abortion States — While Wiping It Out Elsewhere
By Rachana Pradhan, KFF Health News
The Trump administration quietly restored federal family planning money to Tennessee and Oklahoma, despite court rulings that the states weren’t entitled to funds because they refused to provide women information about terminating pregnancies or abortion referrals on request.
Democratic women don’t want the White House talking about raising birth rates
By Grace Panetta, The 19th
Democrats are slamming policy proposals the Trump administration is reportedly considering that aim to raise birth rates in the United States and encourage women to have children, arguing they should instead enact paid leave and expand the current child tax credit to better support mothers and families.
Researchers say moms and babies are ‘going to get hurt’ by federal pregnancy data team cuts
By Kelcie Moseley-Morris, Florida Phoenix
In the remote villages of Alaska where social worker Laura Norton-Cruz works to improve maternal and infant health, there are no hospitals.
FDA commissioner says ‘no plans’ to pull abortion pill mifepristone
By J.D. Capelouto, Semafor
Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Martin Makary said Thursday he has “no plans to take action” to restrict the availability of mifepristone, the pill used in most medication abortions in the US.
Conservatives Think This Study Will Kill Abortion Pills
By Jessica Valenti, Abortion, Every Day
If you read these headlines last week, you’d probably be under the impression that Trump’s new FDA commissioner, Marty Makary, promised that abortion medication was safe.
Job Openings
The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) is hiring an Executive Assistant.
$70,000-$75,000/year.
Apply here.
Abortion Access Front is hiring a Social Media Manager.
$60,000-$65,000/year.
Apply here.
The Emerging Leaders Network is accepting applications for their year-long program for organizers.
Learn more and apply by 6/1.
Educate Us is hiring for their Youth Advisory Board.
Apply by 5/23.
Progress Florida is hiring a Digital Organizer.
$38,000-$50,000/year.
Apply here.
Men 4 Choice is hiring a Communications Director.
$70,000-$85,000/year.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Power to Decide is hiring a Philanthropy Director.
$108,000-$125,000/year, fully remote.
Click here to apply.
Equality Florida & Mukti Fund are hiring a Community Organizing Fellow, Grants Fellow, & Health, Education, and Program Impact fellow.
Learn more here.
The ERA Coalition is hiring Public Policy & Social Media interns.
Class credit available.
Learn more here.