Gainesville’s chapter of the National Women’s Liberation is hosting its fourth annual Roe v. Wade benefit show Saturday.
The event, which will take place this year at The Wooly, celebrates the 44th anniversary of the landmark decision that recognized the constitutional right to allow a woman to make her own decisions regarding abortion.
Moran, a 22-year-old Florida State University biology and chemistry senior, who asked that her first name remain anonymous, said it was the importance of reproductive justice that made her interested in attending the concert, even though it’s two hours away.
“Roe v. Wade doesn’t just mean something to me as a woman, it means something to me as a patriot,” Moran said. “I think Roe v. Wade allowed us to set the groundwork for paid family leave, family health care, an understanding that women will not be second class citizens in our own country and for these concerns to be a policy issue and not just a privilege of wealth.”
Moran said it was also a combination of the recent election as well as the promise of music that intrigued her.
Five Gainesville bands, The Howleez, Bite Marks, The Ones to Blame, Endless Pools and Guts!, who consist primarily of women, will be playing.
“Music is a great outlet to address the concerns of Trump in a way that seems more manageable than it did Nov. 9,” Moran said.
Emma Brady, a member of the NWL and the lead organizer for the benefit, said the purpose of the event was to educate and raise consciousness about the continued struggle for abortion, intersect with other groups around town that specialize in reproductive justice and raise funds that fight for the freedom of women.
“We’ve met people on campus as we’re flyering for the event that don’t know what Roe v. Wade is, which makes it difficult to bring those people into the fight for their rights when they think that their rights are safe,” Brady said. “I think it’s sad, but for me, I also think it’s dangerous and that kind of lack of information is part of how the patriarchy divides us.”
While this was Brady’s first year organizing, she said she has performed with her band The Ones to Blame at previous Roe v. Wade benefit shows.
She said although every year has had a large turnout, this year will be even bigger.
Attendees can enjoy a tarot card reader, photobooth and rehearsed guerilla theatre that re-enacts the first abortion hearing that was interrupted by women.
“I think that people get caught up in feeling almost shameful to talk about reproductive justice, and I want people to walk away feeling that we all support each other and recognize that there should be no reform to sexist laws, because we’re capable of governing our own bodies,” Brady said.
Melissa Powers, a 22-year-old UF psychology and women’s studies senior, said the importance of education for women’s reproductive health and abortion was very essential to her.
“I think education is super important because obviously we need to spread awareness and understanding of the issue,” Powers said. “It’s time for women to have the choice to do what’s best for themselves and to be able to do that safely.”
With the recent inauguration of Donald Trump, a president whose platform includes limiting the reproductive rights of women, the benefit show represents hope in an otherwise dismal time.
“With our current political situation, I’m trying to be alert when it comes to women’s issues,” Powers said. “I’m interested in going to the benefit to show support for women’s right to abortion, contraception and reproductive healthcare.”
Brady, who has seen an influx in women getting involved with the NWL since Trump’s election, said the benefit show will prove it’s the support and unity of women that will make a difference in the end.
“This event reminds us that our rights were taken by women, they weren’t given to us because the government run by men decided that it made sense to be fair,” Brady said. “In recognizing that we have a lot of power when we are all united, I think that galvanizes us to continue to fight for what we want.”
The event will have an educational spin, along with the music and full bar, according to the event’s Facebook page. National Women’s Liberation will provide information on the current fight for abortion, birth control and reproductive rights.
Doors open at 7 p.m., and the bands will start performing at 8 p.m. The cost is a $5 to $15 donation at the door, which will go to NWL.
