10 Books on Abortion Rights You Need to Read

Today is National Read A Book Day, and in light of Kentucky reinstating their near-total abortion ban last month, it’s a great time to explore the literature on abortion rights. Here are ten great books to get you started:

How to Create an Emergency Reproductive Health Kit for Natural Disasters

by: Annika Reitenga, AAEKY Advisory Board Communications Co-Chair

Unexpected natural disasters are a shocking interruption to daily life. You never know when a flood, storm, tornado, or other disaster could restrict your ability to obtain necessities. While natural disasters are unpredictable and can be life-altering, there are ways that you can better prepare yourself for one. Just like you should stock up on nonperishable foods, water, and first aid supplies, you also need to prepare for your reproductive health. 

Here is a checklist for your reproductive health emergency kit:

1. Your Regular Birth Control Supplies

  • The CDC recommends that you keep at least a 7-10 day supply of your medications in preparation for a natural disaster, which should include your birth control method (CDC). If you are using long-acting reversable contraception (LARC), like an IUD or implant, you will not need to worry about unintended pregnancy during a natural disaster unless your device is due to be replaced. If your replacement date is coming, you should always use a back-up method, such as condoms.

2. Emergency Contraception Pills

  • Sometimes called ‘Plan B’ or the ‘morning after pill’.  These can work up to 120 hours after having unprotected sex, but are more effective the sooner that you take it. There is so much misinformation that is spread surrounding EC that it can be hard to distinguish what is fact from what is fiction. 

3. Condoms

  • Birth control methods like the pill, ring, shot, patch, implant, and IUD are very effective in preventing pregnancy, but do not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and HIV.  Condom use is still promoted to help reduce your risk of infection. 

4. STI Treatment and Medication 

  • Individuals with STI’s should keep an emergency supply of their medications, such as antivirals, for natural disasters. Even if you do not take daily medication, you should keep a supply in case you experience symptoms. Remember to check the shelf life of your medications so that you know when to replace these emergency supplies. 

5. Any Other Reproductive Health Supplies You Use

  • If you are prone to yeast infections or urinary tract infections (UTI’s), you should keep a treatment supply as a precaution.

  • If you are taking PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis), you also should keep a supply of this in your kit. 

  • Menstrual pads and tampons are an essential for people with periods.

Are you a flood survivor looking for resources?

  • BCBenefits, a contraceptive access fund, is now statewide in Kentucky to help flood victims access birth control! The program provides access to free or low-cost birth control methods and birth control appointments (remote or in-person) to people who have limited income and would like prescription birth control. Those who qualify for fully reimbursable in-person birth control visits may also qualify for a free or discounted roundtrip ride to cover travel to and from the appointment.

  • Request shipment of free Plan B and/or condoms using our All Access EKY Google Form.  Information submitted will remain confidential and will be discreetly packaged. 

  • BetterHelp is offering 3 months of free therapy for people experiencing hardships in the aftermath of the floods. Licensed therapists are ready to help.

  • For a full list of up-to-date resources and information, please visit https://appalshop.org/news/appalachian-flood-support-resources.


Eastern Kentucky Flood Resources

Our hearts are heavy with our eastern Kentucky communities as our region endures the effects of catastrophic flooding. Please know that the AAEKY team shares deep concern for the suffering that this has caused our people and our region. To those affected, we offer our most sincere condolences. We see you, we grieve with you, and we stand in solidarity. 

We are saddened to report that in the midst of this widespread damage, our partner organization, Appalshop, was engulfed by flood waters. Appalshop is a vital partner on the AAEKY project and an irreplaceable asset to eastern Kentucky and Appalachian culture. 

We are heartbroken for the staff and community, as this loss is a loss that will not go unseen or unfelt. 

We cannot overstate our commitment to supporting individuals, families, and communities throughout EKY during this time of devastation, and every day beyond it. We will continue to show up for our eastern Kentucky communities and urge those who support our region to do the same. 

Please visit appalshop.org/floodsupport  to view resources and ways to support our communities at this time. For EKY residents experiencing additional reproductive health needs during this time of uncertainty, please feel free to contact kelsie@khjn.org directly. We will continue to share resources and information as it becomes available, and we will be thinking of our community during this very difficult time.

Currently, the greatest areas of immediate need are: 

  • eKy Mutual Aid direct donations which are supporting immediate care needs in the county

  • Neon Fire Department is in desperate need for bottled water donations and cleaning supplies

  • Letcher County Central High School is in desperate need of bottled water, cleaning supplies, and volunteers

Community Asks: Post Roe

It is vital that our community unite to ensure access to the full range of contraceptive methods. We continue to believe that all individuals deserve the right to make decisions about their body and their future and are working to ensure that eastern Kentuckians are supported during this time, and beyond. To support your community in increasing reproductive well-being, we urge you to consider the following:

  • We need advocates for contraceptive access in our communities! Join All Access EKY in this important work and learn how you can advocate for policy solutions for increasing contraceptive access on a local, state, and national level. Enroll in our FREE, online, interactive training now: https://learning.powertodecide.org/unlock/tfFoVFc

  • Volunteer with local organizations:

    • KHJN needs helpline and transportation volunteers! Email info@khjn.org for information.

Our Statement on Supreme Court's Decision

This morning, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade after nearly 50 years of federal abortion rights. From this point on, these rights will be determined by individual states and it is expected that this will lead to abortion bans in roughly half the US. 13 states have “trigger bans” in place, meaning that these states already have laws severely restricting or banning abortion that will now go into effect. Sadly, Kentucky’s trigger law now makes it a Class D felony for anyone to provide abortions in our state, with the only exception being if the pregnant individual is at risk of death.

We know you may be experiencing a multitude of emotions right now. You might feel confused, angry, scared, or disappointed. Together, we mourn this devastating attack on reproductive rights. We see you and we stand with you. 

Our All Access EKY team knows that ensuring access to the full range of contraceptive methods is more crucial now than ever. We continue to believe that all individuals deserve the right to make decisions about their body and their future. To ensure that eastern Kentuckians are supported during this time, and beyond, we want to uplift the resources below.  We will continue to use our voice to educate and uplift the needs of our community. 

Resources:

The most comprehensive, verified database of abortion providers in the US helping patients find access to abortion services near them. Run by AAEKY partner, Power to Decide.

  • Read more about Kentucky’s HB 148: 

https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/19RS/hb148/bill.pdf