The Fight for Reproductive Freedom: Allyship from Men and Including Men in the Fight
Written By: Sam Torrence, Men4Choice Fellowship Alumni
This piece reflects the author’s personal views and lived experience. It does not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of Take Back Trust.
As most everyone reading this is likely aware, the fight for reproductive freedom was going on long before Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health overturned Roe v Wade and took away the freedom for an individual to choose for themselves if they needed an abortion. The rights guaranteed under Roe v Wade were constantly being attacked and undermined by the anti-choice movement. And as these attacks were ongoing and as these rights were undermined too many men who identify as Pro-Choice remained silent or did not act in a way that indicated their support for the Pro-Choice movement.
Too often the refrain from these men seems to be some version of: “it’s not my place.” And while this sentiment may genuinely come from a well-intentioned place it is woefully incorrect. The fight for reproductive freedom does impact them whether it is indirectly through those they love or as a precursor for other rights being stripped away. So why do men feel this way? Without placing blame, part of it is the same sentiment which had been used to argue against weird old anti-choice men, “No Uterus, No Opinion” became a shield for men to use to avoid responsibility while also feeling like they were being good allies by staying in their lane. This is not to say that men should be centered in fight for reproductive freedom; they should not. However, they must be included in fight to build a lasting coalition for the Pro-Choice and to resecure reproductive rights in perpetuity.
As the last 5 years have shown us the Pro-Choice movement has been slowly losing ground not just through the Dobb’s decision but with public sentiment as well. A recent Gallop poll showed that the gender gap on reproductive rights (like most other issues) is widening. Prior to this most recent finding the majority of men self-identified as pro-choice typically above 60% depending on the poll. Now that number has dropped to around 40%. Pro-Choice men need to be included in the movement not as thought leaders but as support staff and field organizers to be able to bring in their friends and help combat the anti-choice movement. They need to be on the team not left on the sidelines feeling like they have no place in the game. To be clear, the responsibility of bringing men into the fight is not on the women who have been leading this fight for decades but on the men who have been participating. Bring men in off the sidelines, let them stumble and make mistakes, they will grow and learn how to best support the movement in time.
If you are or know a young man looking to get off the sidelines and into the fight for reproductive freedom alongside a community of young men who are grounding their values through action, here are three ways you can step up:
Follow @Men4Choice on all platforms
Join our Instagram Broadcast Channel at @Men4Choice
Apply to the Fall 2025 Men4Choice Virtual Organizing Fellowship
