In Nampa, Idaho, Kimra Luna, a doula and reproductive care activist, provides support to individuals seeking abortions in a state with strict laws. Luna, along with a network of clinic navigators and volunteers, offers advice, resources, and emotional support to those in need. Despite facing challenges due to Idaho’s restrictive abortion laws, Luna and others believe their work is essential to the community. Luna, who runs Idaho Abortion Rights, is committed to ensuring that people have access to the care they need, including abortion aftercare kits and other essential resources.
Idaho’s strict abortion laws, which ban abortions with limited exceptions and prohibit adults from helping minors leave the state for abortions without parental consent, have raised concerns among abortion rights advocates. The recent U.S. Supreme Court hearing on Idaho’s enforcement of its abortion ban in hospital emergencies has further fueled the debate. While some like Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, argue that such laws protect the unborn, others like Luna view their work as a form of mutual aid and essential community support.
Luna’s activism and advocacy for reproductive rights go back to their upbringing in Idaho, where they have a deep connection to the community. Through their work, Luna provides a range of support services, including assisting individuals before, during, and after abortions. Luna, a full-spectrum doula, also trains others to be abortion doulas and offers remote support, advice, and referrals to resources like plancpills.org and abortion funds. They are dedicated to ensuring that people in Idaho and neighboring states have access to the care they need.
In states where abortion is legal, clinic navigators play a similar role in providing logistical support to patients seeking abortions. The National Network of Abortion Funds has seen an increase in requests and financial assistance since Roe v. Wade was overturned, highlighting the importance of access to abortion care. Planned Parenthood and other organizations provide support and resources to patients, including those who travel long distances for care. However, abortion opponents continue to promote alternative support options for pregnant individuals considering abortion.
Individuals facing unplanned pregnancies often turn to online resources and support groups for information and guidance. DakotaRei Belladonna Frausto, a student in Texas, created a private Facebook group to provide abortion experiences, resources, and support to members from diverse backgrounds. In Idaho, Luna and a group of volunteers organized a “packing party” to assemble reproductive health kits containing emergency contraception, condoms, and abortion information. The volunteers shared their personal stories and experiences, underscoring the importance of community support for reproductive health care.
The work of Luna, the Martindales, and other volunteers in Idaho highlights the importance of mutual aid and community responsibility in ensuring access to reproductive health care. By providing essential resources, support, and information to individuals seeking abortions, these activists are filling a crucial gap in a state with restrictive abortion laws. Through their efforts, they are making a difference in the lives of those in need and challenging the barriers to abortion access in Idaho and beyond.
