THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

The first worldwide screening of the film will be on the 47th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. This is a moment when communities of color, LGBTQ people and many others have been denied access to abortion — and people across the country face an unprecedented assault on the legal right to abortion.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, Acting President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

"As access to abortion hangs by a thread across the country, this film tells the critical story of what's possible when abortion is accessible. People's humanity, their right to health, and their right to live life on their own terms cannot exist without access to safe, legal abortion. Nearly one in four women in this country will have an abortion, and as a recent study shows, almost none of them will regret it. Having an abortion is incredibly common, yet we rarely get to see the stories of people who have them told with humanity and compassion. As we see in 'Ours to Tell' having an abortion doesn't define a person's life. Rather, it's one small step many people take to realize their hopes and dreams. This is the world we are fighting for: one where every person — no matter where they live, where they are from, or how much money they make — can dream beyond what they are told is possible."

Last year, state and federal legislators waged an attack on safe, legal abortion — filing more than 300 state bills that restrict abortion access, enacting 25 abortion bans, and putting abortion access at risk for 25 million Americans of reproductive age. Yet, a record-high 77 percent of Americans say they do not want to see Roe overturned. There is no state in this country where banning abortion is popular.

Statement from Renee Bracey Sherman, Executive Director of We Testify:

"Storytelling is one of the most powerful vehicles of change. I've seen it when sharing my own abortion story. The stories in 'Ours to Tell' mirror the experiences of people across the country, particularly people of color, queer and transgender people, and others for whom the full promise of abortion access has yet to be realized. This film expands our understanding of who makes the decision to have an abortion and underscores that access to health care is an issue of basic justice, which must be a human right, available to us all. 'Ours to Tell' makes clear that everyone loves someone who had an abortion."

Statement from Rayka Zehtabchi, Director of "Ours to Tell":

"Film has the power to challenge the conversation around critical social issues, combat stigma, and ultimately shift culture. 'Ours To Tell' disrupts common misconceptions about abortion — who has access, why, and how that access can help people lead rich and strong lives. This film purposefully centers the lived experiences of those that are rarely seen, including Black, Latinx, and transgender people. Through their stories, we learn that when people have access to abortion, they are able to live the lives they dream of for themselves and their families."

Access to abortion is a fundamental issue of economic justice and opportunity. The storytellers in the film accessed abortion care — with and without financial and logistic barriers — and were able to move forward in their lives, working towards their hopes and dreams without shame and without stigma. Their stories are not unique: A recent analysis from the Turnaway Study published in Social Science & Medicine indicates that most people are primarily relieved after having an abortion; and five years later, almost all people still believe it was the right decision for them.

To view the film, learn more and find out what you can do, go to ourstotell.org . Share the film using #OursToTell. To learn more about We Testify, which is dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who've had abortions, or share your story here: wetestify.org/ .

From a press release