Pro-Choice Ohio Shares Plans as It Changes Name to Abortion Forward

Abortion rights supporters celebrate winning the referendum on so-called Question 1, a measure to enshrine abortion rights in the Ohio Constitution, in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 7, 2023. Ohio residents voted on Nov. November 2023 to enshrine the right to an abortion in the constitution of the Republican-ruled US state, US media projected, in what could be a barometer of an issue that is likely to dominate next year’s presidential race. (Photo by Megan JELINGER/AFP) (Photo by MEGAN JELINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Following the passage of the amendment to protect reproductive care in the Buckeye State, Pro-Choice Ohio will rebrand itself as Abortion Forward.

In a news release, the Ohio independent group said it would “continue its organizing, advocacy and electoral work to move Ohio forward.” The organization also announced that Kellie Copeland would continue in her role as executive director.

One future initiative that Abortion Forward described will be to turn the Ohio Supreme Court into a reproductive freedom majority in the fall elections.

“Together, Ohioans achieved a historic victory for reproductive freedom, but the work doesn’t end there,” Copeland said. “For Ohioans to have real access to abortion, we must have an Ohio Supreme Court that delivers on the promise of the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment.”

This fall, Ohioans will take back the court so the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment doesn’t become just a piece of paper. The dignity of each person must be valued. Abortion must be accessible locally without stigma. “Financial and political barriers must be removed from Ohio laws.”

Activists also expressed concern about a possible federal ban on abortion that would override Ohio’s Reproductive Freedom Amendment. Deputy Director Jaime Miracle, the organization’s top lobbyist at the Ohio Capitol, said promoting pro-choice candidates to represent Ohio in Washington, D.C., will be a key part of his platform.

“Anti-abortion forces are hell-bent on passing a national abortion ban that would destroy state protections on abortion access, including the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment,” Miracle said. “We must elect pro-choice candidates to the White House, Congress and the United States Senate to protect our families. “We cannot allow anti-abortion extremists to plunge our state and our nation into a crisis that will have a devastating impact, not only on those who need access to abortion services, but on our entire healthcare system.”

The Pro-Choice Ohio website has been taken down and a new Abortion Forward site is currently active. The group also said it is no longer affiliated with NARAL Pro-Choice America. That group has been renamed Reproductive Freedom for All.