Framing the Issues

Reproductive Freedom 

 
Conservatives use the frames Pro-Life and Murder.
The pro-life frame implies that if you are not with them, you are anti-life or pro-death. The frame of murder is based on their purported belief that a human being is created at conception and therefore if you end a pregnancy, you kill not an embryo but a human being.
These frames are cleverly chosen and powerful. They are capable of generating strong emotions in right-wing voters when Republicans want to turn out their base during elections. It is very important that we never use their frames! We should never use the term pro-life and we should not get into a discussion about when an embryo turns into a human being. That's the trap conservatives set for us. Don't fall for it.

Progressives should use the frames Pro-Choice and Personal Freedom.
These frames correctly imply that opponents are against the freedom to make a personal choice.
The progressive position is this: A woman has the right to make decisions about her body including the right to choose whether to end a pregnancy or not. The government has no business interfering with that personal choice, and this has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
An additional progressive frame is safety. We should stress the fact that legal termination of pregnancy is a health issue. Untold numbers of women have suffered injury or death as a result of unsafe illegal abortions.
Framing is all about choosing the right words.

Some words to avoid:

Abortion - use "ending a pregnancy".

Abortion rights - use "reproductive rights" or "personal freedoms".

Pro-life - use "anti-choice".