Don't Ban Equality

Consumers support brands with purpose – so we encourage you to showcase your commitment to Don't Ban Equality this season. As you plan your holiday shopping, prioritize brands that are Don't Ban Equality signers and have committed to safeguarding access to reproductive healthcare, check out the full list of companies on here: dontbanequality.com where you can filter by category based on your shopping needs. To our Don't Ban Equality signers, share this branded tile on your company's website and social media to highlight your commitment to supporting abortion access with Don't Ban Equality. #DontBanEquality #ShopResponsibly #HolidayGiftGuide

DBE is closely tracking how abortion access intersects with business, workforce and economic issues in the wake of the U.S. election. The election outcome reflects both challenges and opportunities that we collectively face as a coalition. Look for our updates here each week, and join the conversation in the comments below.? ? Here's the news we’ve been following this week: [1] Bloomberg Law: Anti-Abortion Groups Challenge Illinois Insurance Parity Law By Mary Anne Pazanowski https://lnkd.in/eWKC5uRm? This past Wednesday, several anti-abortion groups sued the state of Illinois to stop them from requiring that health insurance providers cover elective abortions as a part of pregnancy-related benefits. [2] Mondaq: Abortion Enforcement Priorities In The Second Trump Administration By Jenner & Block https://lnkd.in/e4amMy2w? As inauguration nears, some speculate that the Trump Administration’s enforcement of its abortion policies may place companies in difficult territory. If an employer in a Republican state vows to protect its workers’ access to reproductive healthcare, a lawyer may have grounds to investigate and/or sue them.? [3] The Current: Abortion access linked to future economic and educational success By Keith Hamm https://lnkd.in/eRMcYa8g? According to the American Sociological Review's latest paper, access to abortion increases women and families’ economic stability as those who had abortions reported higher incomes as well as high school and college graduation rates.

In March, Don’t Ban Equality signers collaborated to call on the business community to safeguard reproductive healthcare access via a powerful billboard in #NYC. In recognition of the billboard’s impact, Don’t Ban Equality was selected as a Winner for the 4th Annual The Anthem Awards. Thank you to the participating brands, Bumble Inc., COS, Match Group, OkCupid, Tinder, Mejuri, Warner Music Group, Vimeo, Yelp, Amalgamated Bank, EILEEN FISHER, INC., E.L.F. BEAUTY, Patagonia, Deed, Ben & Jerry's, LUSH, Lyft and Seventh Generation. This recognition would not be possible without Don’t Ban Equality partners: ACLU, Center for Reproductive Rights, National Women's Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Rhia Ventures, Beers With Friends ??, McPherson Strategies, and BSR. https://lnkd.in/dzbvMGda

DBE is closely tracking how abortion access intersects with business, workforce and economic issues in the wake of the U.S. election. The election outcome reflects both challenges and opportunities that we collectively face as a coalition. Look for our updates here each week, and join the conversation in the comments below.? ? Here's the news we’ve been following this week: [1] The Chronicle of Philanthropy: How Women’s Nonprofits Are Revamping Strategies After Trump’s Win By Stephanie Beasley https://lnkd.in/e9N9shYf Since Trump’s reelection, nonprofits focused on women’s rights are having to rethink their business strategies. With uncertainty regarding the incoming administration’s plans for reproductive healthcare, progressive organizations are working to protect access at the state level, while conservative groups are pushing for a national ban. [2] Fortune: How Trump’s Agenda 47, plus Project 2025, offer clues into possible health-care policy changes By Beth Greenfield https://lnkd.in/eVdTkhkD? The upcoming administration’s plans may impact healthcare policies, including potential bans of medication abortion and limitations on traveling out-of-state for reproductive healthcare. [3] Phys.org Study links abortion access to women's economic outcomes By University of Utah https://lnkd.in/eXexgbcq? According to the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, women’s economic outcomes fare better when they have access to reproductive healthcare. Young women who lived in areas with greater access to reproductive healthcare “were more likely to have graduated from college, earn higher incomes and have greater financial stability at two time-points over an almost 25-year period.” [4] Business Insider: Online sales of Plan B and birth control are surging after Trump's election, retailer says By Katie Balevic https://lnkd.in/edNME5Pn? Days after Trump’s re-election, a dramatic increase in Plan B and birth control was seen nationwide. Women who live in states with abortion bans, as well as those who live in areas with access to reproductive healthcare are stocking up on emergency contraception with emerging uncertainty on the state of abortion access. Wisp, an online pharmacy focused on sexual and reproductive health, “experienced a 1000% increase in emergency contraception purchases from November 5 to November 6.”

As we assess the election results, the important role of business in advancing and protecting reproductive care is critical. The election outcomes reflect both challenges and opportunities that we collectively face as a coalition, reinforcing the need to stay the course. Here’s some guidance on the path forward for business leaders: Key takeaways from recent ballot measures: Voters in seven states – Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and New York – chose to expand reproductive healthcare access, reflecting strong, bipartisan support across diverse regions. While some measures fell short like in Florida, the strong (57%) voter support shows progress. Businesses were part of these successes and play a role in positively influencing local and state-level policies. Reframing the narrative for business: While reproductive healthcare is often portrayed as divisive, public opinion shows it’s a bipartisan issue. For businesses, access to comprehensive healthcare, including reproductive care, is directly tied to workforce recruitment, retention and well-being. This is a business and operational priority, not a political issue. Corporate engagement in volatile times: Anticipated policy shifts for reproductive healthcare access could soon affect workers and businesses nationwide. With federal challenges potentially on the horizon, businesses should have steady, values-driven support for their workforce. Businesses will need to foster inclusivity and stability during these challenging times. ? As we track more developments, follow us here for more insights. In the meantime, here’s the news we are following this week: [1] Tortoise Media: US firms face abortion fight (Nov.8) https://lnkd.in/eNXcixhh By Barney Macintyre [2] The Washington Post: Abortion access for 2 million women will be changing. Here’s how. (Nov.7)? By N. Kirkpatrick https://lnkd.in/e7DSSxvY [3] KFF Health News: Abortion Was a Motivating Factor for Many Voters in Tuesday’s Election But Ranked Lower Than Concerns About the Economy? (Nov.6) https://lnkd.in/ekJGXJQj? By Christopher K. Lee, MPH

#ElectionDay is finally here, and let’s not forget access to reproductive healthcare is an economic issue. That’s exactly what DBE signers, McPherson Strategies founder and CEO Susan McPherson and StitchCrew founder Erika Lucas, advocate in an article published in Fast Company today. Written alongside Leadership Now Project senior advisor, Michelle Greene, they highlight the important role business leaders can play in helping to protect access to reproductive care. It’s estimated that restrictive reproductive healthcare policies cost the U.S. economy $68 billion each year. Access to reproductive health care is vital to the health of our economy overall. Read their piece here: https://lnkd.in/eMCZcPWf #DontBanEquality #AbortionAccess #Economy #ReproductiveHealthcare #2024Election

DBE is closely tracking how abortion access intersects with business, workforce and economic issues in the lead-up to the U.S. election. Look for our updates here each week and join the conversation in the comments below. ? Here's what you should know: ? [1] NPR: Why abortion referendums are also about the economy (Oct. 31) https://lnkd.in/eC_DKsiQ By Pallavi Gogoi Reproductive healthcare access has allowed women to have careers rather than jobs, strengthening the economy as a whole. Janet Yellens, the first female United States Secretary of the Treasury and one of the most revered economists in the world, argues that reproductive healthcare access has allowed women to have an active role in the economy for the past five decades. With the threat of limited or no access, the American economy will suffer greatly if reproductive choice is eradicated. ? [2] TriplePundit:?How U.S. Business Leaders Are Making Their Voices Heard Ahead of the Election (Oct. 30) https://lnkd.in/gVqbRNvh By Mary Mazzoni Business leaders are taking steps to prepare for the election and the following days as election results are being verified. People are more likely to trust their employers for guidance rather than government institutions and even NGOs, so employees are looking to their leaders for support during election season. BSR, a coalition of over 300 companies, held monthly Election Roundtable meetings throughout the year to discuss next steps depending on the election outcome. [3] ProPublica:?A Woman Died After Being Told It Would Be a “Crime” to Intervene in Her Miscarriage at a Texas Hospital (Oct. 30) https://lnkd.in/gGKSajVA By Cassandra Jaramillo and Kavitha Surana Josseli Barnica, a 28-year-old mother in Texas, died because doctors were legally unable to intervene in her miscarriage. Barnica remained untreated in the hospital for 40 hours as doctors had to wait until there was no heartbeat. After Barnica delivered, she died three days later from an infection. [4] Business Insider: How access to reproductive care shaped a founder's career, highlighting its importance as an economic driver (Oct. 27) https://lnkd.in/eXufkzfQ By Katie Balevic Tracy Young, CEO and founder of two startups, owes her success in part to reproductive healthcare. "I can guarantee you that I would not have been able to see through this journey of being a founder and CEO had it not been for the reproductive rights I was given." Access to birth control and abortions allows women to not only plan for their families but plan for their careers.?

Every week, DBE tracks how abortion access intersects with business, workforce and economic issues. While we usually share this roundup with our 1,000+ signers and network, we'd like to make it accessible for all. Look for our updates here every week, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. ? Here's what you should know: ? [1] Bloomberg: Why Infant Deaths and Abortions Are Both Rising After Roe’s Reversal (Oct. 24) https://lnkd.in/e74B3ey9 By Claire Suddath Since Roe was overturned, abortion rates have risen 20%, mainly through telehealth, while infant mortality rates are also up. These trends highlight that abortion access is critical for workforce and economic stability—directly impacting employee health, mental well-being, and healthcare costs. ? [2] NBC News:? Ohio’s abortion law is unconstitutional after Issue 1 passage, judge rules (Oct. 24) https://lnkd.in/eJKQXyXF By David Rees and Ava Boldizar An Ohio judge just ruled the state's six-week abortion ban unconstitutional, citing Ohio's new Reproductive Freedom Amendment that protects personal healthcare decisions. This ruling reinforces why providing access to comprehensive healthcare is key to attracting and keeping top talent. ? [3] Fast Company: Mental health and reproductive rights are intertwined (Oct. 23, 2024) https://lnkd.in/e93cf6JK By Leslie Witt Access to abortion and reproductive care are more than personal issues—they're workforce and mental health issues. Business leaders can make a difference by advocating for reproductive access and mental health policies that benefit workplace well-being and productivity.

"Small businesses in states that have passed abortion bans and restrictions are left with the burden of shouldering the costs and chaos facing workers and communities,” says Jennifer Stark with BSR's Center for Business & Social Justice. “Those workers have to travel out of state, resulting in more time off and greater healthcare costs out of pocket even if their employer has a benefits program to support them." We will be closely watching the outcomes of abortion ballot measures in 10 states and the implications they have for the business climate in these states.

We have some news: Don’t Ban Equality (DBE) is an Anthem Award finalist for our billboard in #NYC!? ? In March 2024, 19 DBE signers – tagged below – joined forces on a billboard that was supposed to run in Times Square when the U.S. Supreme Court was hearing several abortion cases. The ad, "Reproductive health is every business’s business,” was initially rejected by most major billboards before being placed by a women-led company a few blocks off Times Square. Protecting a right is hard if brands can’t talk about it; especially in Times Square, which is the town square for brands to give voice to issues they care about. We reached 30 million people across various channels and were featured in Fortune. Ultimately eight new companies joined DBE, and we sparked conversation within major companies about ways brands can continue to advocate even in turbulent times. ? We’re up for a Community Voice award – cast your vote here: https://lnkd.in/gai2XNd3 ? Thanks to The Anthem Awards for the recognition. And a special thanks to Beers With Friends ??for creating the ad. Amalgamated Bank, Ben & Jerry's, Bumble Inc., COS, Deed, EILEEN FISHER, INC., E.L.F. BEAUTY, H&M, LUSH, Lyft, Match Group, Mejuri, OkCupid, Patagonia, Seventh Generation, Tinder, Vimeo, Warner Music Group and Yelp