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About My Body My Voice

The Story of My Body, My Voice

“My Body, My Voice” is an immersive storytelling project with the goal of collecting and sharing stories about people's experiences with reproductive health care. Abortion stories. Stories of why someone supports reproductive health care equity and access. Stories of why reproductive freedom matters.

Specifically, "My Body, My Voice" seeks to empower individuals across California to tell their personal story in the effort to create connection and awareness of the breadth of experiences when accessing reproductive health care. The project especially seeks to highlight the stories of people from diverse backgrounds, as restrictive reproductive legislation has disproportionate effects on people of color and others who already face barriers to care. The project honors the history and impact of storytelling and amplifies diverse stories in the continued fight for equity and reproductive freedom.

Ultimately, the goal is to use stories to help protect reproductive rights and freedom, as well as empower individuals to tell their stories in the hopes that they continue these conversations in their own communities.

“My Body, My Voice” is presented in partnership with VoiceBox, produced by Tre Borden /Co. and created by artist Dorian Lynde.

SHARE YOUR STORY

share your story

Video Submission guidlines

Find a quiet location for filming that is comfortable and adds to the look of your on-camera shot. Decide if you are more comfortable sitting or standing and go with whatever works best for you and the equipment you have.

Center yourself in the frame and make eye contact. Steer clear of objects that have moving parts or would become a distraction during your filming. Try to avoid positioning yourself with a strong source of light directly behind you, such as a bright window. Rather, have the light source in front of you.

If you're using a tripod, try and set it to eye level. If seated and using a computer or phone, make sure you are using something to hold the device steady or ask someone for help if you can’t do it alone.

Try to have distance between yourself and your background, this will create depth in the shot, and make the background a bit less distracting, focusing the viewer’s attention on you.

If you speak a language other than English and would like to include any of that in the recording, it is strongly encouraged!

There are four prompts available for each person to use in their video. The first prompt is for everyone; afterward, you can choose from prompts 2-4 or answer all of them if you’d like. Be succinct and offer a short answer but have fun and be as creative as you like.

Prompt 1: Introduce yourself with your name (and pronouns, if you feel comfortable and want to include). Consider multiple takes for this portion if you have the bandwidth, this gives editors more options to work with! Followed by: My Body, My Voice. Her Body, Her Voice, Their Body, Their Voice.

For the other options below, start your sentence with the following prompt and then add in your answer, idea, or opinion.

Prompt 2: “I share my story because…”

Feel free to share details about a time you were able to access reproductive freedom and what it meant to you.

Prompt 3: “I don’t want to just protect abortion access; I want to expand abortion access by..."

Prompt 4: Share any reproductive health care stories that you feel comfortable disclosing.

When you have finished your video, please fill out the form here to submit. Thank you for your time, energy, and effort!

Utilize lamps, a window across from you, and all available lighting sources to make sure the camera can clearly see you.

Try and remove extra distractions like TVs, fans, or other objects that could add extra background noise during your segment. Try and use good posture as it will help to speak loudly and clearly during your filming.

If using a phone, turn the phone to record horizontally to fill the full rectangle in your clip as this gives more options in editing.

Submit your story here

OUR BODIES, OUR VoiCES

Hear the Stories

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Credit to

Tre Borden /Co and Voicebox

Dorian Lynde: @dorianlynde
Tré Borden: @trebordenco & @treborden

This page is controlled and operated by Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California.