No One Asked You
Fighting for abortion access with humor and defiance
This fast-paced political documentary directed by Ruth Leitman is a wild road trip across the United States and dramatic lead-up to Dobbs v. Jackson in 2022, which struck down the constitutional right to an abortion. It spans 2017 to June 2022 and follows Lizz Winstead (co-creator of The Daily Show) and her team with Abortion Access Front as they travel across the country protesting, performing, and providing assistance to abortion clinics.1
Winstead serves as a central figure and advocate. She is the leader of Abortion Access Front (AAF) and is often informing the viewer on the fallout from the latest abortion access restriction or Supreme Court appointee. Similar to Michael Moore’s films, she serves as both a participant and narrator in the documentary, but does not dominate the story. Winstead introduces us to a strong and fascinating ensemble of comedians, activists, and clinic workers. This rich mosaic of people from across the country represents the reality of political movements, which are powered by large and diverse groups.
The first part of the documentary focuses on “The Vagical Mystery Tour,” which features a handful of prominent and up-and-coming comedians who perform raunchy and political routines. At each stop on their tour they help assist or fix up an abortion clinic during the day and offer a comedy show at night. Interspersed throughout are short digital videos by AAF that challenge the obstacles and stigma of abortion. One notable sketch includes Sarah Silverman and Jesus discussing the Bible. Winstead and others state that they see humor as an effective tool for bringing attention to abortion access and encouraging political action.
The theatrical approach of AAF is not new, but part of a long tradition of performance as protest. When the protestors came out with giant heads of the Supreme Court Justices, it was reminiscent of the Bread & Puppet Theatre, a political puppetry troupe based in Vermont that is known for its giant headed figures. In another scene it was jarring to see a protestor in a vagina costume get arrested, but it was memorable and might be necessary in a brutally competitive media environment. Other feminist activist groups have used creative tactics to bring attention to their cause. The Guerilla Girls is an anonymous art collective in the United States that stages protests and art exhibitions. Russian activists formed the punk rock band Pussy Riot as a way to criticize the Putin regime through music.2
The most notable comparison would be to ACT UP (The Aids Coalition to Unleash Power) in the 1980s and 1990s. They staged die-ins, disrupted broadcasts, and committed acts of civil disobedience to bring urgent attention to the AIDS epidemic. At the time ACT UP was seen as radical and confrontational, but today their tactics are viewed as being successful in pressuring elected officials to fund life-saving AIDS research and medication.3 It is clear from their rambunctious protests and provocative sketches that AAF is using a similar approach to fight for abortion access.
The protest scenes in No One Asked You are engaging and entertaining, but some of the most powerful moments are with the abortion clinic workers. AAF visits clinics across the country in states such as Texas, Tennessee, Michigan, Kentucky, Alabama, and Mississippi. Some of the most powerful stories come from Renee Chelian, whose abortion experience at age 15 led to a lifetime of advocacy for reproductive freedom. She is the founder of Northland Family Planning Centers in Detroit Michigan. In an interview with Winstead, Chelian describes having to train staff on how to manage threats of violence from anti-abortion extremists. Abortion clinics and doctors have been the target of violence for decades. The last mass shooting in connection to this issue was at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs in 2015. Three people were killed and eight others were wounded.4
Despite its happy warriors and many jokes, the documentary has a handful of somber scenes that reflect on this dark reality. The film frequently returns to The Jackson Women’s Health Clinic in Mississippi. This is the clinic in the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court case. In 2018 Jackson Women’s Health Clinic challenged the state’s 15 week abortion ban.5 Co-director of the clinic Derenda Hancock is a seasoned professional who shields patients from the anti-abortion protestors. She is a brave woman with grit, but like many of the clinic workers interviewed throughout she seems exhausted. Witnessing the situation get increasing dire at the clinic is painful, but the staff’s persistence is inspiring. Leitman brings important attention to people like Hancock all over the country, who often receive no thanks for the delicate and sometimes dangerous work they do.
It is bold and refreshing to see abortion access addressed with humor and compassion. Using humor to challenge unjust laws and oppressors removes some of their power. Laughter amidst great challenges can also give people courage. But most importantly, the film is a testament to the necessity of grassroots organizing and the dedication of everyday citizens to ensure abortion access. In 2024 abortion has become one of the most important issues of the US presidential election. No One Asked You is a powerful motivator to not just vote, but to also advocate, organize, and protest proudly for reproductive freedom.
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Click here to find public screenings of No One Asked You or watch online on Jolt starting October 25, 2024.
Abortion Access Front was formerly known as Lady Parts Justice League, and is sometimes referred to by that name in earlier sections of the documentary.
The Pussy Riot songs “Bad Apples” and “Straight Outta Vagina” are featured in the documentary. Overall the documentary includes a lively collection of feminist protest music.
Michael Specter, “How Act Up Changed America.” The New Yorker, June 7, 2021. https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/06/14/how-act-up-changed-america
Liam Stack, “A Brief History of Deadly Attacks on Abortion Providers.” New York Times, Nov 29, 2015. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/11/29/us/30abortion-clinic-violence.html.
Detailed information on Dobbs v. Jackson can be found at: https://www.aclu.org/cases/dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization.