We asked, you answered: Times the pro-life movement made you feel welcome
Pro-lifers are stereotyped as older religious (Christian) conservative straight white men. And while we want older Christian conservative straight white men to be pro-life, we know that these six characteristics are ill-fitting descriptions of millions of the people who oppose abortion. We describe these groups as the “non-traditional” pro-lifers.
Sometimes non-traditional pro-lifers have a tenuous relationship with the more traditional pro-life movement, which is often structured with specifically Christian conservative participants in mind.
Other times, pro-life organizations and events do particularly well at welcoming in people of diverse backgrounds. In mid-July we launched our survey of non-traditional pro-lifers. Among other questions, we asked “Describe situations, if any, when a pro-life organization or event made you feel welcome.” Below is a selection of answers.
At the Dobbs arguments, my first time at SCOTUS, I had a “queer atheist pro life” sign — so many individuals came up to me for high fives, hugs, etc., it enforced the concept of unity with those I disagree with — which is something I hadn’t thought very possible.
Anonymous, young* bisexual agnostic woman
The people I work with have been really welcoming and encouraging. I’ve also had several people come up and tell me they are sincerely happy to have me come and speak.
RT, slightly conservative Catholic Asian woman
The pro-life subreddit is generally pretty welcoming to secular voices.
Anonymous, young somewhat liberal bisexual agnostic woman
When they’re generally nice to me, especially when they acknowledge my differences in opinion and are still happy to have me around.
Elise Ketch, young very liberal Catholic bisexual woman
The best was when an acquaintance called me to join a pro-life vigil that had some opposition. When I went, I realized I knew some of the counter-protestors from having worked with them on other issues, and we had some respectful dialogue. I was glad to be a sort of bridge in that situation and was fully welcomed by the pro-life group.
Julia Smucker, politcally independent Catholic woman
I think that Democrats for Life of America has been very welcoming of me. This is evident because they think of me highly enough to allow me to be the Virginia Chapter Leader. The Progressive Anti-Abortion Uprising has been extremely welcoming and kind. They are some of my closest friends and they are so welcoming.
Craig Rew, young very liberal Mormon man
When they’re willing to set aside their differences and work with me, when they express gratitude that I’m here.
Mary J., young “spiritually eclectic” bisexual woman
Answering my letters thoughtfully. Publishing my essays.
JB, politically independent Jewish woman
I was convinced that I could be prolife in a way that made sense with my morals and ethics when I discovered New Wave Feminists/Destiny Herndon-De la Rosa and Rehumanize International! I especially love that NWF doesn’t advocate for specific politicians and their platforms as the ultimate cure for the issue and leaves room for healthy disagreement and interpretations of feminism in their work, making it possible to bridge the partisan divide on an issue that people do often vote single-issue on.
Anonymous, young very liberal asexual Protestant woman
Annual fundraising event for a pro-life center — people were friendly, nobody questioned my background or assumed I was pro-choice.
Anonymous, slightly conservative Christian Black woman
There’s been so many times. I can’t ever say I felt welcome because of my background, but I definitely felt welcome in the room for standing for life.
Anonymous, politically moderate gay atheist man
I always feel welcome in the more non-religious and politically neutral pro-life communities. I am a pastor’s wife but still feel relatively uncomfortable in religious pro-life spaces because they generally hold a lot of other conservative views that I do not.
Annie M., politcally independent asexual Protestant woman
I generally feel welcome any time they can keep the focus on the topic of abortion … As long as the focus is abortion, I feel fine to be there.
Sarah C., politically independent gender-nonconforming Christian
I’ve felt most at home in nontraditional pro-life spaces. A huge shoutout goes out to Consistent Life Network and Rehumanize International for showing me that those spaces exist. Another shoutout goes to PAAU for breaking even more of those barriers, and giving me the strength to embrace my pro-life queer leftist self.
In traditional pro-life spaces, I’ve never felt rejected by local pro-lifers who do boots-on-the-ground work, especially directly with parents & families.
SM, young very liberal bisexual Catholic woman
SPL always makes me feel welcome.
Anonymous, young politically independent agnostic woman
*For this post, “young” describes anyone under age 30.
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