On The Intersections Of Reproductive Justice And Human Rights: State of the Uterus 2019
Photo by Maya Coplin
three cheers for our third-annual state of the uterus
State of the Uterus* (*uterus not required) is #bossbabesATX’s annual party for progress. Together, we raise money for nonprofits invested in reproductive justice, menstrual health and community health, while dancing our butts off and learning about local initiatives.
This year’s party was held on Jan. 25, 2019 at Cheer Up Charlies, and together we raised $8500 for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, the Abortion Care Network, Collegiate Mom Coalition, the KIND Clinic and #BBATX (that's us!). On top of the fund$, we also compiled and distributed our first-ever SOTU Action Guide, a digital booklet exploring activists’ and community organizers’ next steps for approaching intersectional, future-forward reproductive rights (click here to download the booklet for free).
everything you need to know about SOTU
It took a village of collaborators to bring this baby together. Check out everyone who was involved and click the links to get in touch or learn more about the initiatives they spoke on:
Learn about the night’s benefitting nonprofits:
#bossbabesATX: We’re a Texas-based nonprofit that amplifies and connects women and nonbinary creatives, entrepreneurs and organizers. We create space to catalyze multi-industry coalitions, promote intersectionality across disciplines, share our crafts, seek guidance and provide each other with practical and emotional resources. On top of that goodness, anyone interested in our mission, core values, and initiatives are invited to participate and learn more about how gender inequality affects their daily lives. More than 10,000+ community members annually attend our showcases, markets and dialogues—and in the last three years, our programs generated an additional $1million for the Austin economy.
Planned Parenthood: Planned Parenthood Federation of America is a nonprofit organization that provides sexual health care in the United States and globally.
The KIND Clinic: A program of Texas Health Action, the Kind Clinic provides sexual health services including PrEP and PEP access, STI testing and treatment, HIV testing, and gender-affirming care to Central Texans in need. The Kind Clinic strives to provide sexual health services to all members of the LGBTQ community and allies, regardless of race, creed, gender expression, or sexual orientation.
Abortion Care Network: Founded in 2008, the Abortion Care Network is the national association for independent community-based, abortion care providers and their allies. Together we work to ensure the rights of all people to experience respectful, dignified abortion care.
Collegiate Mom Coalition: A grassroots community organization, the Collegiate Mom Coalition serves as a source of excellence for college women through programs that enhance their education, economic and social involvement, role-modeling and financial literacy. They are advocates for a children friendly university that cultivates tangible success for families one generation at a time. *At every SOTU, we fundraise for a nonprofit that needs assistance to cover their nonprofit’s starting costs and legal fees; we are ecstatic to provide this fundraise Collegiate Mom Coalition’s relaunch in 2019.
Meet the night’s performers:
Chulita Vinyl Club
DJ Girlfriend
p1nkstar
Ladiearth
Meet the nights’s speakers:
Sam Davis, trans rights activist and artist
Representatives from Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas
Jasmine Robinson of Collegiate Mom Coalition
Alex Perez-Puelles with Abortion Care Network
Briona Jenkins, LGBTQIA+ activist
Emma Robinson of The Afiya Center
Marcy Keeffe of the KIND Clinic
Kym Whitehead of the Texas Handmaids and Texas Reproductive Rights Rally
Jane Hervey, #bbatx Founding Executive and Creative Director
Throughout the event, we also participated in activities with the following community partners:
Pop-up shop and information booth on #bbatx
Feminist book-reading with Book Woman
Readings from Senders Receive
Period-Kit Packing Party Station with Flo Code (7,000+ menstrual products were packed!)
Information table with Mama San Vibrant Woman
SOTU Photobooth with MYEVENTISTHEBOMB
Click here to learn about the makers and small businesses in the resistance market.
SOTU 2019 flyer series by Jasmine Brooks
so what should you do next?
At State of the Uterus*, we stand to dismantle the stigma that prevents all genders and sexes from receiving appropriate reproductive care and health services. We stand to acknowledge and fight against the intersectional issues that affect the health of women-identifying people, like access to resources that cover basic needs, systemic racism, transphobia, abuse and violence, sexual miseducation and more. We stand to create spaces that prioritize individual agency and the communication of truthful, responsible information. We stand to decriminalize abortion. We stand for ourselves.
Click here to download the free SOTU action guide created by activist Emma Robinson, in collaboration with #BBATX, as well as flyers produced by designer Jasmine Brooks for SOTU. All materials are available for free download to all.
*Uterus not required
our SOTU thank-yous
First, we’d like to thank STILL Whiskey and Ambhar Tequila for providing drink specials at the bar. Thank you!
Second, big shouts to Cheer Up Charlie's for hosting us. Please continue to support this space and spend your money at this queer-owned, woman-owned venue!
Third, huge ups to all of our staff, volunteers and all of the small businesses that contributed to the raffle. We appreciate y’all.
Fourth, major ups to Maya Coplin for the incredible event photos. Check 'em out! We've also got some awesome photos from our photobooth, thanks to MYEVENTISTHEBOMB and Simplebooth.
Last but not least, thank you for attending, showing up and helping us ensure each nonprofit walked away with $1700 in donations. We’re here for it and love y’all. (If you’d like to get involved with future programs at #BBATX check out our calendar and all of the things here.)
behind state of the uterus*
Since this program’s start in 2017, SOTU has raised more than $20,000 for local grassroots nonprofits and organizations led by women and nonbinary folks, including Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, the KIND Clinic, Collegiate Mom Coalition, the Abortion Care Network, the Lilith Fund, Counterbalance: ATX, the Survive2Thrive Foundation, Flo Code, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, We Are Happy Period and Annie’s List. The annual pop-up party is attended by more than 1500 people per year, and features a lineup of all-babe DJs, a stellar local biz raffle, a small marketplace, speeches and talks from Austin’s most influential and impactful organizers and thought leaders, period-kit packing (for distribution to Austin’s homeless and displaced communities) and educational activities. On top of the party, SOTU is followed by a day of leadership training, discussions and hands-on workshops for aspiring organizers and advocates looking to change their communities. Learn more at stateoftheuterus.com