ABORTION IS OK BILLBOARD CAMPAIGN

As a teen growing up in a Bible Belt state billboards were not only used to advertise the next truck stop down the road, they were often used to promote the evangelical leanings of my conservative hometown. A standout was the "Don't Make Me Come Down There! - God" billboard that I passed each morning on my way to high school. The prevalence and power of this messaging is not lost on me; and when I saw that Shout Your Abortion had created a campaign along Interstate 55 to offer billboard messages of support and affirmation to those utilizing the highway to seek abortions, I wanted to find a way to ensure this campaign is visible for as long as possible. That's why I am asking for your support.

Four of the existing billboards are available for renewal. The goal of $10,000 will provide enough funding for the billboards to remain for another month, "reaching tens of thousands of abortion seekers leaving the south to access abortion in southern Illinois." Visibility is key to normalization, and one of SYA's key initiatives is to normalize abortion. Let's help remind those traveling out of state seeking abortion care that they are loved and not alone.

More on the impetus behind this campaign and links to press can be found below. All funds will go directly to the cost of renewing the billboards.

Abortion is Ok

Abortion is a normal part of life, in every community in America. Sometimes the decision is easy and sometimes it’s not. But you’re the only person who knows what’s right for you.

Politicians are forcing people to travel long distances, leave their homes and families, and navigate all sorts of hurdles in order to access abortion care. That’s on top of having to deal with anti-choice billboards, protesters, and navigating a culture that often teaches us to be ashamed of our decisions.

Shout Your Abortion (SYA) has launched a multi-state, pro-abortion billboard campaign along Interstate 55, a route traveled by tens of thousands of abortion seekers leaving the south to access abortion in southern Illinois. Anti-abortion groups have lined I-55 with horrible billboards intended to shame and traumatize people. We hope that our billboards are a beacon of support and affirmation for everyone making that journey.

Courts and politicians will never stop us from having abortions, and there are people everywhere who have your back. Learn more about how to get the care you need, no matter what.

Press on the billboards:

New Washington Post piece

NPR Illinois

Memphis Flyer

*photo credit: Kristen Archer