Flirt to Convert: On Deep Canvassing
Why i'm hitting bars in swing states to turn pro-choice advocacy into a party.
The tired stereotype that women vote like their husbands, comes back to haunt us every election year. Even Gloria Steinem once accidentally implied that Bernie Sanders was popular because “the boys are with Bernie.” She later apologized and clarified that it wasn't her intention, but still, the idea that women tend to follow men's opinions about politics persists.
Tucked away under that myth is the idea that women are highly influenceable and that men do the influencing. But I'm on a mission to prove that men can be just as persuadable as women. If you follow me on IG, you’ve probably noticed that I've been hitting the streets of swing states with Vote For Abortion to convert men into voting pro-choice. For instance, a few weeks ago, I went to a day club in Scottsdale, Arizona, and last weekend, I attended a tailgate before a Phillies game in Pennsylvania. Determined to reach men where they are, I decided to put my charm to good use and strike up conversations with any man willing to chat.
The Art of Deep Canvassing, With a Twist
On a mission to save democracy one flirty conversation at a time, I ventured out equipped with a cute outfit and a smile to engage in what I like to call “flirting canvassing.” Every election year, we hear about the importance of deep canvassing, a technique that involves having meaningful, one-on-one conversations with people to change their perspectives. It's all about creating genuine connections and engaging in open, empathetic dialogue.
My version of deep canvassing involves hitting up bars in swing states, striking up conversations with men, and using every bit of charm to convince them that voting pro-choice is not just a women’s issue—it’s about protecting their rights, too. Instead of apologizing for our pretty privilege, we might as well weaponize it. The fascists are trying to take over, and it’s all hands on deck, folks!
Besides, men should know that the fight for reproductive rights impacts them too. Over cocktails, I explain to my newfound bar buddies that the overturning of Roe v. Wade is not just an attack on women's rights—it’s a breach of privacy that affects men as well. I also tell them that Project 2025 aims to curtail these rights even further, promising to bring big government right into the bedroom. It’s an all-out assault on privacy and personal freedom. Imagine a world where porn is banned, OnlyFans creators are criminalized, and sexual expression is muzzled by legislation. This isn’t just an attack on reproductive rights—it’s a crusade against sex positivity itself. So when I’m chatting up a charming stranger, I’m not just flirting—I’m advocating for their right to live in a world where they can watch whatever they want online without Big Brother breathing down their neck.
Instead of apologizing for our pretty privilege, we might as well weaponize it. The fascists are trying to take over, and it’s all hands on deck, folks!
Flirting with Purpose
When you tell a guy that the fight for reproductive rights is as much about their freedom as it is about women's, their eyes start to widen. And when you mention that Project 2025 wants to ban porn, suddenly, you have their full attention.
But I know what you’re thinking: shouldn’t guys care about reproductive rights without having a personal stake in the fight? Of course, they should! But why hide the tangible threats that an anti-abortion agenda poses to their own lives? With so much on the line during a pivotal and historic election where men have so much to lose, why keep it a secret? Men are being lied to just as much as women, and don’t they deserve to know the truth too? And if they’re more likely to listen because we’re sharing a drink at the bar, why not do it?!
Using Flirting as a Weapon for Change
Let's face it: the world isn’t fair, and sometimes women have to use whatever tools we have at our disposal to make a change, especially in a world where we can rely on institutions and government to defend us. If that means batting an eyelash or flashing a charming smile to get a pro-choice majority, so be it. Pretty privilege, as superficial as it may sound, is just one of the many tools we have in our arsenal. And it’s just a new spin on an old concept. Throughout history, women have used sex strikes to end wars and withheld their bodies as a form of resistance. More recently, women also used dating apps to catch and convict violent men who stormed the capital on January 6th. In an ideal world, women shouldn’t have to use their sexuality to fight for their freedom, but until we get to live in the society we deserve, why not use the power we have?
And besides, men (especially those who are white) are seen as an intractable base for the extreme right, and conservatives have been extremely talented at tapping into primal male fears and insecurities. They think deeply about their messaging to men, and we should too. If the right can be this shameless in their outreach to men, why can’t we?
In the quest for reproductive rights, personal freedoms, and privacy, you should leverage every asset you have. Every interaction is an opportunity to shift perspectives and inspire action. So, if you see me at a bar, come say hi—we might just save democracy together.
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I’ll see you on Sunday! And until then, please enjoy this amazing original drawing by my Gen Alpha niece, who felt inspired to save America too.
x Liz
would you come flirting canvassing with me?? 😎