There’s an old Libertarian Party slogan: Libertarians—Pro-Choice on Everything! This, of course, included abortion. The party’s 1974 platform, for instance, called for “the repeal of all laws restricting voluntary birth control or the right of the woman to make a personal moral choice regarding the termination of pregnancy.”
From 2012 through May 2022, the L.P. platform contained this language:
“Recognizing that abortion is a sensitive issue and that people can hold good-faith views on all sides, we believe that government should be kept out of the matter, leaving the question to each person for their conscientious consideration.”
Last year, that language was removed. The party now stands silent on abortion.
The Libertarian Party does not stand for all libertarians, of course (nor does the removal of the abortion platform mean everyone in the party wanted that). But the L.P.’s shifting stances seem to reflect a larger divide among libertarians and classical liberals. Once a largely and loudly pro-choice group, libertarians now seem more torn on the issue of abortion—or loathe to address it at all.
Join us February 5 at 7 p.m. as we discuss questions such as:
- Why is abortion such a fraught topic in libertarian circles these days?
- How have libertarians historically regarded abortion?
- What does it mean to be pro-choice? Pro-life? Are these labels inadequate?
- Why should libertarians be wary of criminalizing abortion, even if they personally oppose the practice or find it immoral?
- What is the libertarian feminist case for reproductive freedom in all its forms?
- How can libertarians help protect reproductive freedom in a post-Roe world?
To tune in to the virtual panel, register here.
Panelists will include Avens O’Brien, Marianne March, Kat Murti, Izabela Patriota, and Stephanie Slade. The panel will be moderated by Elizabeth Nolan Brown.
Panel will be followed by a Q&A with audience members.
