Majority of men of color support protecting abortion access: Poll

A new poll shows that men of color overwhelmingly support legal abortion. 

Eighty-eight percent of Black men support total legal abortion, according to a new poll from All* In Action Fund and HIT Strategies. Support is slightly lower among Asian American men at 83 percent, and among Latino men, 81 percent of whom support abortion. 

More than 80 percent of all men of color believe that support for abortion access is important in their decision about who to vote for in November. 

“For too long, people of color’s votes have been taken for granted,” Nourbese Flint, president of All* In Action Fund, said in a statement. 

“Now, with abortion playing a key role in the upcoming election, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to not only define what we are against, but to push toward a future that is inclusive of the communities that are left behind by our current systems. Our research shows that men of color are increasingly prioritizing abortion — now it’s on us to prioritize their voices and galvanize their support to have meaningful conversations and engage them in the fight for abortion access.”

Since the 2022 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 21 states have banned abortion while others have limited access to the procedure. Louisiana this month reclassified two abortion-inducing drugs as controlled and dangerous substances.

The ongoing battle has resulted in medical students choosing not to train in states with abortion bans and health care providers leaving states that restrict care.

“The fight for abortion is often framed as a ‘women’s issue’ but this is about all of us,” said Donovan Atterberry, Ohio state manager at New Voices for Reproductive Justice. “When my wife needed an abortion, what mattered was that I could support her in getting the care she needed. When it comes to our fundamental freedoms, men can listen, engage, and support the people in our lives to make the decisions that are best for them. The more people we have raising their voices for abortion access, the stronger our movement.”  

The All* In and HIT Strategies poll shows that even though men of color support legal abortion at staggering rates, many remain unsure of how the topic affects them personally. 

Fifty-one percent of men of color feel like abortion restrictions are an issue that impacts them directly, compared to 49 percent who don’t. 

Still, 48 percent of men of color said abortion and reproductive rights are issues that can affect men, and 59 percent said it is important for men to educate themselves on the issue of abortion. Forty-four percent said it is important for men to prioritize candidates that will protect reproductive rights and abortion.

“Men of color overwhelmingly support access to abortion, and their votes will be critical to electing candidates who protect reproductive rights,” said Terrance Woodbury, CEO and founding partner of HIT Strategies.

“Men of color often think of themselves as tacit supporters of abortion rights, but have the potential to become active change-makers. This presents a major opportunity to mobilize men of color to take an active role in voting for abortion rights supporters this November.” 

But men of color are also unsure of what their role is in advocating for abortion rights. 

Only 38 percent said it is important for men to attend marches and rallies supporting abortion rights, 37 percent said it is important for men to speak up on social media about abortion and only 36 percent said it is important for men to donate to organizations and candidates that support the procedure.

But men of color do recognize the impact abortion access has on other issues. Fifty-six percent of men of color agree that abortion access has economic implications, and that giving women control over abortion decisions gives them greater economic security.

“Black communities experience some of the most significant disparities in our health care and political systems,” said Darryl Banks, co-founder and principal at P68, an organization dedicated to building Black political power.

“That’s why it’s crucial for us to stand against political interference in health care decisions. Building political power for abortion access requires all of us, including Black men. Together, we have the power through our votes to champion people’s freedom over their lives and make it clear that this issue impacts all of us.”