Second gentleman Douglas Emhoff will convene a panel in Atlanta focused on the role men can play in advocating for more access to abortion rights, commemorating the five-year anniversary of Georgia’s six-week abortion ban. The event will include health care providers, reproductive rights activists, local leaders, and students, with Emhoff emphasizing the importance of men supporting abortion rights and expanding women’s access to the procedure. The audience will primarily consist of men, including students from Morehouse College, and the panel is organized in collaboration with Men4Choice, a group that mobilizes men to fight for abortion access.
Emhoff, who has accompanied Vice President Kamala Harris to over 80 events on reproductive freedom, will convey a message to men to push back against state abortion restrictions and support candidates who prioritize expanding abortion access. The panelists for the event include Carol McDonald, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Southeast, along with other reproductive rights advocates and a Morehouse University student who is working to involve more men in the abortion rights movement. Additionally, television host and actor Khadeen Ellis will share her experiences with pregnancy and motherhood, focusing on the challenges faced by Black women during childbirth.
Before the event, Emhoff will meet with Black small-business owners and visit a local business to draw attention to a new tour initiated by the vice president aimed at creating economic opportunities. Abortion has emerged as a prominent issue in the current election year, with President Joe Biden and Harris frequently criticizing former President Donald Trump and Republicans on the topic. Harris has conducted abortion-related events in 20 states, including a recent speech in Florida as the state’s new six-week abortion ban went into effect. Emhoff’s panel in Atlanta underscores the ongoing efforts by the administration to raise awareness and advocate for reproductive rights.
The event in Atlanta reflects a broader initiative by Emhoff and others to engage men in supporting abortion rights and expanding access to reproductive health services. Men4Choice, the group collaborating with Emhoff for the panel, has been active in organizing men across the country to advocate for abortion access and encourage broader support for the movement. By targeting a primarily male audience, Emhoff aims to underscore the essential role that men can play in promoting gender equality and reproductive justice, particularly in the context of ongoing legislative threats to abortion rights.
Emhoff’s panel in Atlanta coincides with the anniversary of Georgia’s stringent abortion law, highlighting the significance of ongoing advocacy efforts in the face of restrictive legislation. The event will feature a diverse range of speakers, including health care providers, activists, and students, who will share their perspectives on the importance of abortion rights and the need for broader support in the community. Emhoff’s message to men to actively engage in the fight for reproductive rights underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing gender equity and ensuring access to comprehensive health care services for all individuals.
Through his collaboration with Men4Choice and engagement with local communities and businesses, Emhoff seeks to amplify the voices of those advocating for abortion rights and draw attention to the critical issues facing women’s health and reproductive freedom. With abortion emerging as a central topic in the ongoing political discourse, Emhoff’s panel in Atlanta serves as a platform to promote dialogue, raise awareness, and mobilize support for expanding access to reproductive health services. By emphasizing the intersectional nature of reproductive justice and highlighting the experiences of diverse individuals, including Black women and small-business owners, Emhoff aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable society that prioritizes the well-being and autonomy of all individuals.
