Women develop a code to discuss abortion on TikTok

Over the last few months, many people have taken to TikTok to express solidarity with those seeking support for abortions in what might at first sight appear to be unusual ways. 

"If we go down then we go down together," a line from the song “Paris” by the Chainsmokers plays in the background while white-lettered captions pop across the screen. TikTok users of varying ages mouth the words to the song while the captions offer a room to stay in. Others offer to drive those who want to go "camping" if camping is illegal in their state. Some use “camping,” others use “learning to knit,” but the intention is the same.

They're not talking about spending time in nature or taking up a hobby, they're using coded language to help those on the platform who are seeking support to access abortion-related care. 

Using coded language to talk about abortions isn't new. In the 19th century, for instance, newspapers would use a variety of euphemisms and supposed cures to stop menstrual cycles to advertise abortion options.