This is a rant, so absolutely zero apologies in advance.

Abortion and reproductive justice have always been my core issues. They are the questions at the root of my academic career; they are the movement of my professional network; they are the site of my volunteerism.

Other donors and other Democrats have other priorities. That is fine.

But I have sat in so many circles where people still shy away from abortion.

Donor network leaders who have told me “well, we’re all pro-choice, but those are sort of our mothers’ issues.”

Democratic senators who tell me we need a “big tent” that includes anti-abortion Dems.

Democratic House members who say they can’t speak publicly on “that issue”.

Advocacy organizations so toothless there are no primary challenges or repercussions for anti-abortion Dems.

Progressive donors who tell me that I should fund John Bel Edwards in Louisiana, even though he’s enacted some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, because he’s strong on justice reform. (No one would make the inverse case, if he expanded abortion access.)

Advocates who write progressive policy platforms centered on race and class, but don’t mention gender. Who talk about the right to healthcare, but don’t mention Hyde. Who talk about criminal justice, but don’t see the prosecutions of pregnant women that are already happening.

This is what happens when you don’t see abortion WHEN THAT IS ALL THE OTHER SIDE SEES. They will confirm a justice in the middle of an election and not even blush. They will put in place a justice that will undo progress on *every issue you care about.*

Maybe you’re uncomfortable with abortion. Maybe it’s not your priority. But we lost a fight that we could have fought better if you could have looked past whatever quaint paternalism or misogyny let you think you could overlook it.

I am furious and exhausted. I am incandescent with rage at the Republican Senators who are shameless in their hypocrisy. But I also very mad that we didn’t fight the best fight possible, because too many on our side buy into stigma and silence on abortion.