The Pinkhouse Defenders - fighting abortion stigma one smile, one person at a time

The Pinkhouse Defenders were the team of volunteer clinic escorts creating a supportive environment for the patients of "The Pink House" aka Jackson Women's Health Organization (JWHO), the last abortion clinic remaining in Mississippi that is the other half of Dobbs - Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The Pink House Defenders made sure anti-abortion “protesters” aka antis harassing the patients and the providers knew there is no “welcome mat” for them on the sidewalks. We Engage believes responsible engagement with antis benefits patients in many ways and can also counter their false anti-abortion messaging on the sidewalks.

Through We Engage’s support of the Pink House Defenders, we affected people in the most direct way. The Pink House Defenders challenged abortion stigma and supported patients one smile at a time. The Pink House Defenders made sure that patients felt as safe and as comfortable as possible as they accessed their care. When uninvited people yelled at them from the sidewalk with shaming and uninvited, unkind words, the Defenders were there for patients.

Here is what Kate C., a patient, wrote to tell us about her visit to the clinic:

“My appointment was for 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, and we were really early. We drove by the clinic to make sure we had the right spot before going to get a coffee.  I was immediately emotional when I saw the protesters out front. While I fully believed in my choice, and the rights of all women to choose, they scared me.

And, I’m embarrassed to admit it - the thought of facing them in 45 minutes made me cry. 

When it was time for the appointment, I was shaking. (Again, not at my choice or any repercussions, but at seeing these individuals.) 

Anyways, I can’t tell you how much it meant to me to pull into the parking lot and have y’all there to escort me in. And laugh with me. And keep me company while I waited for my friend to pick me up. (Both days.) 

Y’all are amazing, and I know that I am not alone in appreciation for what you do. 

I saw on your Facebook page that I actually experienced a very “quiet week.” That just reinforces how amazing you are — to be surrounded by so much vocal hate and vitriol, and to maintain such kindness. 

Anyways - I don’t mean to be so long winded.  I just wanted to say — from the bottom of my being— thank you for everything that y’all do. You don’t know how much your presence meant to me. Thank you.”

Our number one rule - ALWAYS - is patients first. ALWAYS patients first. It is why we did what we did. From escorting and defending to fighting stigma and fighting back against antis at protests. PATIENTS FIRST - ALWAYS.

REMEMBER THE PINK HOUSE. Where the fight was fought. Dobbs won. For now.

REMEMBER THE PINK HOUSE DEFENDERS.