Cody McDevitt

Six years of reporting, hundreds of interviews, and one buried history—now told. Given No Choice traces abortion rights from back-alley deaths to the post-Dobbs fight unfolding today. Read more: www.amazon.com/Given-No-Cho...

I know this will piss some people off. But it needed to be said, and many local activists will appreciate me speaking the truth to decision-makers. reprorights.substack.com/p/new-york-a...

Preparing for the midterms? Put abortion rights in historical context. My book, Given No Choice, explores the people, legal battles and movements that shaped abortion access—and offers context for evaluating campaign promises. www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTLC2XJP

Access, autonomy, and education keep us safe. With the release of SIECUS' 2026 State Profiles, @codymcdevitt.bsky.social spoke with Senior Policy Analyst Nawal Umar about "Baby Olivia" and the rising tide of attacks. reprorights.substack.com/p/the-anti-a...

French Riviera

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All over France.

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In 1861, 47 families were driven from their homes in Donegal’s Derryveagh Evictions. More than 160 years later, playwright Kieran Kelly discovered his ancestors were among them—and began bringing their story to the stage. My latest: codymcdevitt.substack.com/p/the-famili...

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This past May, @codymcdevitt.bsky.social wrote about how the post-Dobbs practice of forcing patients to prove “medical necessity” in states with abortion bans is reminiscent of the pre-Roe v. Wade status quo:

Here's some more invaluable political advice that I don't make a dime off of, but is worth more than the overpaid and useless consultants that run the Democratic Party. reprorights.substack.com/p/the-post-d...

I say things now freely because I'm deeply skeptical that people who don't and haven't wanted to concede basic happiness are going to suddenly grant you the dream life. My sense is that those promises are designed to tantalize so you don't say and do things that will cost them power.

I’ve realized that what many people call “good optics” often amounts to placating the loudest or most upset people in the room. That’s not always leadership. Sometimes it’s just conflict avoidance dressed up as strategy. That’s abdicating responsibilities.

This wonderful guy, Henry Doohan, toured me around County Donegal this week. He told me about mythology, history and lifestyles of the area that had chain migration to western Pennsylvania. I highly recommend all Irish Americans from Pittsburgh to book him through his company Donegal Tour Guide.

In Northern Ireland, the walls tell you where you are. Nationalist neighborhoods honor the civil rights movement, Irish reunification and, in many cases, express solidarity with Palestine. They’re reminders that history here isn’t just remembered—it still shapes the present.

Today I stood beneath Donegal waterfalls, explored ancient stone forts and castle ruins, and looked across the Atlantic from the same hills my McDevitt ancestors once called home. Every stop made Ireland’s history feel less like something I studied—and more like something I inherited. 🇮🇪🍀

One thing that struck me is how few people seemed to realize Jack Schlossberg is a Kennedy. “Schlossberg” isn’t a household name the way “Kennedy” is, so many people assumed he came from a different background rather than recognizing him as the grandson of America’s first Irish Catholic president.

Today I walked where my McDevitt ancestors lived, worshipped and looked out over the Atlantic. From Carrick and Donegal Bay to Slieve League and an ancient church where faith endured despite persecution, Ireland stopped being genealogy on paper. It became family, memory and place.

The courts have spoken. Now it's our turn. Indiana state director Haley Bougher spoke with Repro Rights NOW / @codymcdevitt.bsky.social about what comes next: organizing our communities and building public support into political power. Read the interview here:

Outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, beginning a journey to Donegal, homeland of my ancestors. Family lore says our ancestors invited St. Patrick onto their lands to baptize the people there. Through plantation, famine and emigration, they endured. Now I’m following their footsteps home. 🇮🇪☘️

I don't know if Pete Rose or Shoeless Joe should be in the Hall of Fame. But Barry Bonds definitely should have a place. Players should be judged in the context of the area, and it's naive to believe that steroid use wasn't prevalent then.

Carnegie Mellon University should launch a program to teach students journalism and the industry's problems, so they can develop AI-driven solutions that might put the industry on more solid ground. These are our greatest thinkers, and if we could work with them, it would improve.

I’m pleased to share that Given No Choice: A History of Abortion Rights received a positive review from Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus called it a “well-researched overview of the struggle for abortion rights in America.” www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...

When people talk about the glue that holds us together, there is nothing that has historically done it more than baseball. That's why I want them to fix it this offseason to have payroll parity. Players should earn collectively as much. But salaries should be distributed evenly across teams.

I'm hoping they fix baseball this offseason by creating payroll parity between the poorer and richer markets. The players should earn as much in collective salaries as they do now, but talent should be evenly spread across teams. That means the Pirates spend more, and the Dodgers spend less.

Generally speaking, I think presidents should be in their late 40s or early 50s. And I hope we stop nominating or electing people approaching 70 or older.

I’ve developed a patience that I didn’t have when I was younger. Is it frustrating dealing with leaders who don’t correspond with you, evade acknowledgment, and don’t establish plans to reach your goals? Yes. But all you can do is keep working and hope someone steps up.

Are there any comic book illustrators who would be interested in working on a crime noir work set in Pittsburgh? Can’t pay right now, but will split royalties.

I’ve heard from younger people that they’re the first generation without pop culture figures. I feel for you. And if I could, I would champion your work and help. But I drive Uber and deliver food for a living, so I’m in no position to do so.

Are there any legit male movie stars under 40? I mean box office draws.

A recap of the books we’ve spotlighted in the past few days. www.washingtonindependentreviewofbooks.com/features/our... @bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social @scribnerbooks.bsky.social @regalhouse.bsky.social @codymcdevitt.bsky.social #booksky

Thanks to the reviewer for taking the time to read and evaluate my work. Anyone else is welcome to do so on Goodreads and Amazon.

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I spoke with historian Rick Perlstein about how abortion became a defining issue in rural America, why Dobbs changed the political landscape, and what abortion rights advocates can learn from rural voters. Read here: reprorights.substack.com/p/what-rick-... @rickperlstein.bsky.social

Pirates game with pops

Before Roe v. Wade, there was Sherri Chessen — a TV host, mother of four, and the woman whose thalidomide pregnancy forced America to confront abortion in public for the first time. Her story changed the national debate forever. reprorights.substack.com/p/the-woman-...

A new National Abortion Federation report documents rising threats, harassment, and intimidation against abortion clinics in post-Dobbs America. My latest piece examines the findings — and the long history behind them. reprorights.substack.com/p/the-war-ou...

I understand NYC’s desire to tax the rich more. But so long as Florida or Texas say they won’t tax as much and come set up shop there, I see the Big Apple losing many of these headquarters and corresponding tax base.

Texas scholar David Brockman says the New Apostolic Reformation is reshaping abortion politics through the language of “spiritual warfare,” portraying opponents as demonic rather than political rivals. A troubling shift in American democracy. reprorights.substack.com/p/how-the-ne...

I’m not gonna lie. I bought protein pop tarts. But all it is is double the number of tarts in a serving to double the protein amount. Same amount of protein per tart.

David is a true champion of reproductive rights. He recently ruled to expand Medicaid for the purposes of getting abortions in Pennsylvania. His dad, Cyril Wecht, gave me the research that allowed me to write this book. www.post-gazette.com/news/politic...