On August 18, 2014, the Taco or Beer Challenge, a month-long celebration of reproductive freedom, became manifest in the world. The challenge is incredibly simple: You eat a taco or you drink a beer, and you donate to an abortion fund. Last year, we raised $30,000—let's see if we can do it again.

On August 18, 2014, the Taco or Beer Challenge, a month-long celebration of reproductive freedom, became manifest in the world. The challenge is incredibly simple: You eat a taco or you drink a beer, and you donate to an abortion fund. Last year, we raised $30,000—let's see if we can do it again.

RH Reality Check

Typically, there wouldn’t be anything unusual about me stopping by my local watering hole for a beer and a taco. That’s just about at “days that end in ‘y'” level of not-unusual for me.

But on August 18th, 2014, something remarkable happened when I did just that: Other people around the country joined me. Not just because they like tacos and beer. But because they supported legal abortion care.

And thus the Taco or Beer Challenge, a month-long celebration of reproductive freedom, became manifest in the world. The challenge (ToBC for short) is incredibly simple: You eat a taco or you drink a beer, and you donate to an abortion fund.

The 2015 Taco or Beer Challenge launches today—the anniversary of our unintentionally auspicious beginning—and lasts through September 18. Abortion funds, abortion funders, and reproductive freedom fighters around the world are hosting Taco Tuesday launch parties to celebrate. We’re calling it International Taco or Beer Challenge Day, and more than two dozen events are already planned around the world, with more to come in the next four weeks. You don’t need to complete your ToBC on Tuesday! You can do it any time before September 18.

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Because the ToBC is fundamentally about freedom and choice, I don’t actually care if you eat a taco or you drink a beer (or if you do both). You can have a deviled egg and an iced tea for all I care. The only way to fail the challenge is to not donate to an abortion fund.

The abortion fund part, though, is very important. Why? Because abortion stigma is real, and the ToBC is about busting that stigma by directly funding legal abortion care for people who need it. It’s not about supporting politicians or lobby groups (though you should totally do that if you want! You do you! Freedom!). It’s about funding legal abortion care. You can’t complete the ToBC without donating to an abortion fund. It’s literally the only requirement, and therefore the most important one.

The National Network of Abortion Funds has a fantastic list of abortion funds, including non-U.S. funds based in Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, and in international waters. Can’t decide which of all of the many fabulous and mostly volunteer-operated funds to donate to? Spread the love around with this handy multi-fund donation link courtesy of Rewire.

Once you’ve eaten your taco or consumed a beer and donated to an abortion fund, the next step is to tell the world about it by submitting a photo or video of your challenge to the official Taco or Beer Challenge Tumblr! The more folks we get talking about the ToBC, the more folks tackle the ToBC, and the more money we raise for legal abortion care. Submission is super easy, and here’s the link.

Last year ToBC participants helped raise a cool $30,000 for legal abortion care. I’d love to see that number matched or exceeded this year, but it’s going to take everyone’s best effort to do it. If you want to share your ToBC experience even further, be sure to tag your personal Instagram or Twitter or Tumblr posts with #ToBC15.

Tacos at the ready?

Beer at the ready?

Wallets at the ready?

Let’s do this, y’all.