How did you go from a latent to an activated pro-lifer?

What moves someone from being quietly pro-life to actively speaking out?

Hundreds of people have now taken SPL’s survey of non-traditional pro-lifers, and you are invited to take it as well. One section of our survey explores stories of becoming pro-life, especially from those who weren’t always actively opposed to abortion.

Usually when we think of people becoming pro-life, we picture those who used to be pro-choice. But our survey also highlights another group: people who were “latent pro-life.” These individuals believed abortion was generally immoral but didn’t usually speak out or get involved—until something changed.

So we asked these formerly latent pro-lifers what moved them to become active in opposing abortion. Below is a selection of their powerful answers.

My little sister got pregnant with my niece or nephew, my children’s only hope at a cousin. She aborted because she wanted to continue a carefree lifestyle. I grieve the loss of this baby, and I truly believe he or she was a complete person, however small. My sister was supposed to keep him or her safe.

AB, very liberal atheist man

Paying attention in biology class. Talking with pro-life friends. Following social media pages for both Planned Parenthood and people like Secular Pro-Life to compare their views consistently.

Anonymous, slightly liberal Catholic woman

I saw people talking about it on videos and it made me look more into it and discover facts I didn’t know.

Mickayla G., young* bisexual non-religious woman

I was opposed to abortion, then became liberal and felt like I had to abandon my principles, then returned to my original principles with my wife’s support.

AJP, young liberal Catholic man

There were a million turning points that led me to the pro-life stance, but if I had to choose the biggest one, it would be the Gosnell case and the collective burst-of-shock-and-then-shrug-and-then-forget reaction it received from the media and most of the public.

Anonymous, politically moderate agnostic woman

Interaction with pro-life orgs across the political and religious/non-religious spectrum.

Paul H., somewhat liberal Christian man

Learning biology and having my own children.

Olga Romanov, politically moderate bisexual agnostic woman

Thought-provoking comments or remarks by people around me.

AB, politically independent Catholic woman

My own experiences with pregnancy loss, and two friends’ experiences with abortion.

KB, very liberal bisexual atheist

Notice how many people say they got involved in pro-life work after hearing pro-life arguments online or from someone they knew. Those of us who speak out against abortion can sometimes feel as if we’re screaming into the wind. Remember that people change their minds all the time. Be patient and relentless.

*For this post, “young” describes anyone under age 30.

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