About
Not Your Host Bodies was created as a response to Texas’s “Heartbeat Bill”–which banned almost all abortions and set out civil, criminal, and professional penalties for abortion providers found in violation. It began as an exploration of the visual elements at protests and marches but quickly grew into something much more than as the war on women’s rights escalated after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022.
This site aims to foster a space where activism meets scholarship, and voices advocating for reproductive justice are heard and valued. Whether you’re an activist, scholar, or someone who believes in what this project is trying to do, I invite you to explore the site and contribute to the community–together, we can make a difference.
This project aspires to do something real and to be an asset for positive change.
This intention is manifested through three core principles–amplification, education, and connection.
Amplification
The archive–Activism in Action– houses a dynamic collection of visual activist work, showcasing the creativity and tenacity of those fighting for reproductive rights. Through the curation of diverse galleries, the archive not only preserves the rich history of this moment, it amplifies the voices of activists using creativity as a form of resistance and advocacy and works to inspire and encourage new avenues and sites of activism.
Education
The educational resources in the Learn section are designed to bridge the gap between scholarly research and writing for public audiences. making them accessible to all. This part of the site synthesizes key texts, legal milestones, and historical contexts, to provide an overview and comprehensive introduction to abortion rights and reproductive justice.
Connection
The online platform offers a space for people to Connect–to build community, share resources, and support one another in the pursuit of this work. Through a public-facing blog, people can share experiences, discuss strategies and ideas, and access a wide range of knowledge and resources. This interactive element is focused on empowering individuals to take action–online and off.
The Origin Story
This project has been a labour of love, and getting to what is housed here has been has been an adventure bridging activism and academia to try and create meaningful change.
Not Your Host Bodies 