Hi there,

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade ahead of its 50-year anniversary, Americans continue grappling with one of our deepest divides.

In August of 2021, Civic Health Project made a timely investment in The Abortion Talks, a "true crime" style documentary film concept proposed by filmmakers Josh Sabey and Sarah Perkins to showcase how dialogue -- even across our most profound disagreements -- can lead to constructive, transformative outcomes.

What Josh and Sarah created exceeded our wildest expectations and is creating audience "buzz" across the country.

To learn more about this groundbreaking film, to watch the trailer, or to host a screening, please continue reading below.

Watch the Trailer

The Abortion Talks tells how two tragic shooting incidents at Boston-area abortion clinics in 1994 brought leaders of the pro-life and pro-choice movements together. In the wake of the shootings, Governor William F. Weld and Cardinal Bernard Law, among others, helped arrange clandestine meetings between three pro-life and three pro-choice movement leaders. While these dialogues (kept secret for fear of reprisal and violence) were initially planned to take place over a monthlong period, the women opted to continue meeting for more than five years. After 150 hours of dialogue, and on the 28th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the six leaders went public.

Even after years of intense dialogue, none of the leaders changed their moral positions on abortion, yet all expressed being transformed by conversations that led them to see the humanity of those who disagreed with them, and to forge deep bonds of affection despite those disagreements.  

Read the Article in Christian Science Monitor

We are incredibly proud of our early investment in this film, and this past year we are seeing that investment pay off through increased attention to this thought-provoking documentary. Recently the Christian Science Monitor featured The Abortion Talks and profiled Rev. Anne Fowler and Frances Hogan, who were two of the six women initially involved in these discussions.

Host a Screening

As part of the film's impact campaign, Picture Motion is launching a Screening Tour, providing access to the film and an accompanying Discussion & Action Guide at a sliding fee scale. Several members of the Listen First Coalition raised funds to offset the cost of the screening fee, so additional organizations would be able to afford a screening.

Civic Health Project co-sponsored and co-hosted a film screening and discussion at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco. Pastor Marvin White, filmmakers Josh Sabey and Sarah Perkins, and panelists Chris Collins and Joan Blades our Executive Director Kristin Hansen onstage at the event.

Learn More About the Film's Reach and Impact

But that's not all...

• This year, The Abortion Talks kicked off the National Week of Conversation by inviting people around the United States to join in virtual screenings, in addition to in-person screenings in Oxford and Tupelo, MS through the Listen First Project and Ole Miss School of Journalism and New Media.  
• On May 11th, Common Ground Committee featured The Abortion Talks on the 'Let's Find Common Ground' podcast. Listen Now.
• Last Month, Civic Health Project grantee Mormon Women for Ethical Government worked with YOUnify to host two screenings + workshops related to the film The Abortion Talks. Read More.

Please help Civic Health Project and the filmmakers spread the word about this important, timely documentary. Host a screening and pair it with a group discussion.

Need help wading into such a contentious topic? Consider downloading and using this free, helpful conversation guide from Living Room Conversations.

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