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Women Open Up About Their Abortion Stories With The Hashtag #YouKnowMe As Response To Alabama Abortion Law
Multiple celebrities are using their platforms to protest the push for harsher abortion regulations in a handful of southern states. 'The Good Place' actress Jameela Jamil shared her abortion story in response to Georgia's newest law and now T.V personality Busy Philipps of 'Busy Tonight' has done the same - introducing the hashtag #YouKnowMe.
Philipps has been openly pro-choice and decided to first share the story of her abortion on her show after Georgia signed their "fetal heartbeat" bill into law. "The statistic is that one in four women will have an abortion before age 45. That statistic sometimes surprises people," she said to her audience, "and maybe you’re sitting there thinking, ‘I don’t know a woman who would have an abortion,’ well, you know me I had an abortion when I was 15 years old and I’m telling you this because I’m genuinely really scared for women and girls all over the country.”
The phrase 'you know me' struck a chord with her producer Tina Fey, who encouraged her to start the hashtag. Philipps told The New York Times,"She said, 'I think you hit on something, which is you know me,'" but admitted to the outlet she felt too "overwhelmed" to do it right after opening up about her story. After the Alabama Senate passed another restrictive abortion bill, effectively completely banning it, which has since been signed into law, she tweeted out against it and used #YouKnowMe. She encouraged women to use the hashtag to share their own abortion stories to "end the shame" that surrounds the procedure. Like the similar hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion, it quickly went viral.
Image credits: BusyPhilipps
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In 1973 Roe v Wade was passed by the Supreme Court to legalize abortion, but in 1992 they were faced with Casey v Planned Parenthood which is what ultimately gave individual states more control over how they regulated these abortions. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a reproductive health research and policy organisation, the first quarter of 2019 saw at least 28 state legislatures introduce some form of abortion ban. So far seven states introduced restrictive abortion bans, with Alabama being the most recent.
that's not even either/or here... if she died the foetus would have, too...
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed the controversial abortion bill passed by The Alabama Senate passed the bill 25-6, that could punish doctors who perform abortions with a 99-year or lifetime prison sentence. The law does not allow exceptions for rape and incest, which even some religious supporters like Evangelical leader Pat Robertson said "has gone too far." The law only allows exceptions "to avoid a serious health risk to the unborn child's mother," for ectopic pregnancy and if the "unborn child has a lethal anomaly."
Georgia's governor Brian Kemp signed a "heartbeat bill", that bans abortion once a fetal heartbeat has been detected, which is possible as early as six weeks. Heartbeats can be detected before many women even know that they're pregnant. Unlike Alabama there are exceptions in the case of rape and incest if a police report has been filed. Other exceptions include if an abortion is essential to saving the mother's life or if the fetus is not viable due to a serious medical issue. The ACLU has plans to challenge this legislation.
May that strenght continue to be with you. Women MUST have the right to decide over their own bodies. Period.
Kentucky legislators have been going back and forth to pass abortion laws. The ACLU filed a lawsuit against a heartbeat law in the state and blocked it and earlier this month another judge struck down a 2018 abortion law that would have ended a common second-trimester abortion procedure known as“dilation and evacuation.” In response Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin’s administration has begun the appeal process of this 2018 ruling and filed it with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Horrible experience. Kepp being strong and standing up for your rights.
Similar to Kentucky's legislation, Mississippi seeks to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat has been detected. The law was set to take effect on July 1, but the state's only abortion clinic and the Center for Reproductive Rights have asked a federal judge to block it. Current Mississippi restrictions require a 24-hour wait between an in-person consultation and the procedure.
That really pisses me off. I want my uterus removed so I can’t fall pregnant, have no periods and not get early menopause. But I am deemed too young as I might want more kids. I have 2 children and I am 100000% sure I don’t want anymore. If my contraception fails I will be opting for an abortion. I hope it doesn’t happen but if it does that is the choice I will make.
Oli Li, I have 2 kids with disabilities and a lot of my times is spent taking them to therapies. I don’t have the mental and emotional strength to have any more kids and it also wouldn’t be fair because a lot of my time is already taken. I know for a fact I could not cope having any more kids. I struggle enough as it is. I am done, the idea of me having any more kids actually fills me with anxiety. I definitely will not change my mind.
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that is what drives me nuts. not only do they want to take away choice, but they don't let you take preventative measures with your own body to never get that way in the first place.
I've got a friend with PCOS who's going through the same b******t where the hospitals are refusing her surgery because "her future man might want kids some day", what a load of s**t. Hospitals should NOT have the power to make those kinds of judgement calls.
Her future man? He doesn't get to overule her choices either. If he wants children and she doesn't then bye-bye.
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I asked for a hysterectomy because of constant painful ovarian cysts. Was told 'no' because I'm too young and only have one child...really pissed me off.
Same here. I like children but I am in constant pain for various reasons and didn't want to force a child to probably end up becoming my carer. But 'you'll change your mind'. Nope.
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I have 0 maternal instincts. Never ever wanted children. But when I asked I was too young and not married. “You’ll change your mind when you get married”. I didn’t get married till I was 35. Still never changed my mind.
I have wanted my tubes tied since age 16. I'm 28 now. Still they won't do it. If I want children I'll adopt, but I don't want children!
The world is overpopulated anyway. Good on you for wanting to adopt instead!
Load More Replies... Again, it's people telling women what they want, and IGNORING them. Why is it so acceptable for people to literally ignore someone's choices over their own body?? if someone changes their mind, it's *their* responsibility!! No-one else's!! If she had the tubal ligation and later regretted it - that's *her* responsibility.
I wish I could upvote you 100 times. This is my thoughts exactly!
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I had a doctor refuse to perform a hysterectomy for me, despite my uterus being pre-cancerous (I'd already had breast cancer), because I was/am single and my "future husband" might want kids.
Please take a moment to ponder the life choices available to women in countries where even contraception is illegel! Small wonder the homicide rates are often invertedly related to the availability of legal and avalable birth control and abortions.
I've never understood this type of thinking. My husband and I are both 10000% sure we don't want children, yet because I'm of childbearing age and don't have any I can't have a tubal. He and I even discussed that if we changed our minds we'd adopt. I understand if you are not of legal age to sign off on the paperwork, but after that point it's ridiculous to make me stay on birth control forever "just in case".
This has never made sense to me. You know you don't want kids. It doesn't matter if you are 20 or 60, you don't want kids. How can some doctor force you to stay 'impregnatable' just because HE thinks you should. I had the same convo with my doctor when I was 20. I basically told her 'do it or I will find someone who will'. I knew at that time I had all the kids I wanted. Doctor's big argument? What if something happened to one of my kids, wouldn't then I want another? They aren't f*****g puppies! A new kid isn't going to replace the dead kid. STFU and give me the tubal!
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Long time lurker and I had to sign in to say that we need to make changes in the medical community with regards to the patient/clients right to make a fully informed decision that is right for them. I fully support a woman's right to make decisions regarding their body. I also believe people have a right to choose medically assisted euthanasia under the right circumstances. But, there also needs to be awareness raised about the challenges men also face when I comes to their personal reproductive rights. I have a male friend who at age 18 new he did not want children and was denied a vasectomy based on age. Years later when we were in nursing school he was again denied based on age. Now several years after becoming RN's he has to put his already in progress plans to become a FNP on hold because several forms of birth control failed and his girlfriend is pregnant. Financially and time wise this unwanted (for both) pregnancy is changing their lives. Age, for a mentally competent adult, should not be a factor for the medical community to deny a person's decisions for their body.
I only wanted 1, had him at 24 after 10 months of being pregnant with HG, 20 hours of labour and an emergency csection where we both were in serious danger. I couldn't even ask them to tie my tubes because I was only 24. Now, 13 years later I still don't want any more and have to deal with horrible periods for the next 15-20 years for no reason other than "I might change my mind"
I would have done the same thing. My husband and I never wanted kids, I spent most of my adult life on the pill, and if it had failed, I would have had an abortion in a cold minute.
That's a thing people should be more focused on . This one isn't even about abortion it's about medical"professionals" forcing their opinions and ideals on a woman. If she wants to get rid of the possibility of having another baby or having to have a future abortion then where the hell do they get off telling her she can't I'm pro life and pro choice and some would say I can't be both but I genuinely believe that something other than just the abortion laws needs to be changed . If there is rape incest or other circumstances other than just using abortion as birth control (which I know people who use it as an afterthought because they didn't want to bother with other contraception) then I'm behind a child coming from those situations
But there really need to be a lot more focus on the lack of access to and knowledge about birth control and doctors thinking that it's okay for them to deny people who not only are certain they don't want children but may have medical conditions that make even possessing a uterus painful the choice to have the hazard removed because your young isn't a Good enough reason to deny someone a preventive procedure . As long as it's thought through can be done with standard risk and the person is able to make decisions for themselves it shouldn't matter what the doctor thinks about how you'll change your mind they can't know s**t about you from being in a room with you for a brief amount of time. If you change your mind for whatever reason in the future then you can live knowing your voice was heard and adopt one of the many children that are already made and are just waiting for someone to love them
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I have extremly hard periods that dont allow me some months to even go to work. After ten years and seven doctors everybody tells me that there is nothing wrong with me. I am 29, i never wanted kids and neither me or my partner want. But I cant remove my uterus/ovaries 'in case i change my mind'...
My daughter had to argue with several doctors before they'd remove her tubes so she wouldn't get pregnant again.
I was 26, degree, stable job, amazing husband, on the pill. We were not ready to be parents. Abortion is illegal in my country, so I had it in a garage. #youknowme. Having children is an enormous responsibility and Parenthood should never be imposed.
There is another way men control women's healthcare: Refusing to perform a tubal ligation because she might "change her mind." That is not the doctor's nor the senate's decision to make. It is HER decision. When has a doctor EVER refused to perform a vasectomy on a man based on his age? Never.
I was so lucky... my doctors were two women when I had to have emergency surgery at 10pm to remove an IUD that went through my uterus (4 weeks after insertion), I was 33 years old and never married but I knew I didn't want kids and I asked them to do the tubal ligation and they did!
My late mother-in-law, who was a stay home mom, had 6 children in span of 12 years, as her husband (a school principal), was religious and against contraception. That was in '60s and early '70s. When she went to see a doctor to have her tubes tied, she was refused, on grounds that her husband had to consent to that(!!!) Btw, being religious didn't stop him from cheating on her with a neighbor. Scary thing is, looks like our society is relapsing back into dark ages, despite all the progress we claim to have made.
This pisses me off!! Like, are you gonna feed and take care of any kids for me???
Even when birth control is taken correctly they aren’t 100% effective. Even the World Health Organisation states that even if All women take contraception perfectly there will still be 6 million unwanted pregnancies. That is how often contraception fails even taken correctly. ALL contraception can and does fail. So how about educate yourself on that.
Load More Replies...North Dakota's governor has signed legislation that makes it a crime for a doctor to perform a second-trimester abortion with the use of instruments i.e clamps, scissors and forceps in order to remove the fetus from the womb. If caught medical professionals would be faced with a felony charge, up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The bill would come into effect and be enforceable if a federal appeals court or the US Supreme Court allows it.
And this is what it will turn back into if we make them illegal and unobtainable. Abortions have taken place since the ancient Egyptians. Women are going to do them no matter what the laws are.
Ohio's governor signed a heartbeat bill this year which banned abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected. The law does not provide any exceptions for rape or incest. The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a lawsuit to challenge the six-week pregnancy ban, which is set to go into effect July 10 unless the ACLU court order is able to delay the start date while the lawsuit goes forward.
Heartbeat legislation started as a model bill passed around by fringe anti-abortion groups, until it was taken up by North Dakota in 2013 and ultimately struck down by the lower courts - who deemed it unconstitutional. While it is likely that these laws will continue to get struck down by lower courts, the hope of anti-abortion groups is that some will make it to the Supreme Court. Even if the justices do not overturn Roe v Wade there is the possibility that they can uphold these measures to make the procedure more difficult to obtain in these states.
A child binds a woman to an abusive partner. Women are raped by abusive partners... Let's make a law that perpetuates this cycle and pat ourselves on the back for saving lives... Because that's the only thing that matters right!?
My oh my. Only 18 and dealing with cancer and pregnancy. Heavy. I am so glad that you are here, sharing your experience.
I was adopted at birth and I would like to assume that my biological mother, whom I have NEVER met, wasn’t FORCED into carrying me. I am grateful for her willingness to give me up after birth in order to give me a better life with my parents, who could not conceive. However, if I found out she had been FORCED to carry me to term, I would feel inherently guilty about my existence. Adoption is NOT a viable option if you DO NOT WANT TO BE PREGNANT. My body, my choice. My biological mother’s body, HER choice.
A tubal or ectopic pregnancy is life-threatening, not viable, and requires termination. That is not an abortion, that's a life-saving procedure. These yahoos passing laws do not understand that. The idiot senator in Ohio thinks an ectopic pregnancy can be removed and replanted into the uterus. FFS. That kind of medical procedure would change the world. It's not possible.
That's great! No woman should ever feel ashamed or bad for taking the choice that was right for THEM.
To the person saying she shouldve given it up for adoption. If she cant pay for herself, how inthe F**K is this girl gonna pay hospital expenses at birth? Idiots the whole bunch
19 is so young - having a child with an abusive partner links you to them for life. I hope you were able to leave him behind.
Children growing up in poverty are more or less set up for a life in misery. You mede the the right decision.
I’m so sorry, that must have been so incredibly difficult. That brought tears to my eyes. Sending love.
same. at 17. first time having sex. miscarried, but would have aborted. hang in there. #youknowme too.
Imagine having to carry that child to term. What can be worse than rape? Having to carry product of that attack.
Your comment is the clearest, truest, and most honest one that I have seen so far. Good for you and Pay Attention People!!! This woman is going places!
You are not alone...we are everywhere ready to show you how special you are! <3 stay strong sister!
#youknowme i was 18 got pregnant by an abusive man. Suspected the pregnancy. Punched myself in the lower gut till i bled profusely. Realised i caused my own miscarriage. Not even sorry.
And that's it in a nutshell! You have the right to grow yourself and know yourself before you choose to have a child. Bravo!
The fact that these women are strong enough to share their stories. Is a great thing and they shouldn't have to deal with some a*****e on the Internet. So, please be respectful.
Correct me if I'm wrong but the phrase 'compromising his SOBRIETY' suggests to me that he wanted to be sober & kick the habit & that dealing with both that & a newborn would have been too much for them both, plus she was on the pill which suggests they weren't intending to get pregnant at that time. I would also suggest that the fact she married him would lean towards being proof that he beat the alcoholism in order to have a healthy, stable relationship with her.
@hashwadoobies, that's not the point. That doesn't work all the time, and that's their decision
The university doctor refused to give you the morning after pill? What business does that person have being a university doctor?
Honestly, America... I don't get it. If I can't care for that child or it comes from a rape or condom-ghosting or a contraceptive malfunction, it's forced upon a woman to carry that unwanted child to term? And what about a birth defect? Something really serious that may not be immediately fatal but cause that child terrible pain for a few weeks before it dies anyway? Are you saying its better to have that child born to a life (however short) of suffering than to prevent that suffering altogether? Seriously, what is it with America and trying to relegate women's reproductive organs?? I live in a 1st world country that allows abortion and we don't have clinics at every corner! But we do have physicians that provide us the best care and support during a difficult decision in our lives. Ever since that Orange clown sits in the big white building, America is slowly but surely degenerating... Save yourselves, Women, before the facists come for you! (German, I know a fascist when I see one!)
It's not America doing this b******t, it's American politicians. These bills were passed in spite of overwhelming opposition by the people.
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What's absolutely amazing to me is a man can just pick up and walk away from a pregnant woman without looking back, but that woman needs to carry that child to term... her body needs to go through the changes of pregnancy, and then her body needs to go through the trauma of birth or a c-section. Men never seem to be held accountable here. Where are the laws charging them with child abandonment or neglect? Why don't we start there? We are living in a country right now that doesn't give a s**t about mental health. If a woman is raped and becomes pregnant, every day she carries that child, every pound she gains, every kick she feels... every second is a CONSTANT reminder of that rape. How is that woman ever supposed to recover? I am DISGUSTED where this country is headed. If a person doesn't agree with abortion, no one is forcing them to have one, but DO NOT TAKE THE RIGHT AWAY FROM A WOMAN WHO WANTS OR NEEDS ONE. End. Of. Story.
I'll be honest, I used to be a Pro-Lifer. But that was when I was still in high school and I hadn't known much about abortion and rape and things like that until I was able to join sites like this. It's really opened my eyes to the issues our world is dealing with, and now that I've read up on a lot of this, I am DEFINITELY a Pro-Choicer. Thank you all for opening my eyes. :)
In Quebec "The decision to either continue a pregnancy or get an abortion is personal. This decision belongs to the woman; she is free to make her choice according to her desires and circumstances. There are many reasons why a woman might decide to get an abortion. The reasons are specific to each woman, and belong to her. Personnel delivering abortion services respect each woman’s decision without passing judgement. They provide abortion services and follow-up neutrally, respectfully and with complete confidentiality. "
The Canadian Supreme Court settled this for ALL of Canada decades ago.
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Against abortion? Don't f*****g have one. Until men can get pregnant, they shouldn't be able to legislate what women can legally do with their body.
You would rather a woman be forced against her will to have a child she doesn't want so that child will likely grow up in poverty (which your taxes will pay for), unloved (possibly CPS taken, again taxes pay for), or just neglected (see reasoning two). The truth is you pro-lifers don't give a sh!t about the child once they're born. I don't see any of yall volunteering at homeless shelters or offering money or support to single mothers. No instead you shame them. You make them feel like sh!t for the decisions they already regret. You will not lose sleep at night because a woman you don't really care about anyway has an abortion.
This really makes me angry reading some comments. Why do women have to explain themselves? Its OUR body and OUR decision and not theirs! for god sakes, it could be ANY reason why they abort it like a heavy illness on the child or the pregnant women or simply that theyre way too young or victims. Its for me the same as they ask rape victims "what did you wear?" Like guess what. Thank god i was 7 and havent got my period at that time because i would have to worry about getting pregnant of a baby from my cousin who raped me at that time!!! And hell no i WOULDN'T kept the baby just to put it on adoption. Think of it. Also its THEIR decision
'Conservative' politicians are ruining the USA with their faux morality that is used to justify their misogyny and fascism. Real Christians should speak out and vote against this intolerable cruelty, which their savior never would have forced upon women in their darkest hours. Where is your Human compassion??? Where is your pro life rhetoric when your actual born children are being murdered by the guns you protect with more vigor than the kids they kill?
Alabama, you got The weight on your shoulders That's breaking your back Your Cadillac Has got a wheel in the ditch And a wheel on the track
It is infuriating to have to explain why you need to have control over your own body at this day and age. And yet, here we are... It's almost surreal. Please read the blog parenting exposed to get a glimpse of the abuse and torture parents who should never had to become parents inflict on their children.
Congrats America! You are officially a lousy nation for basic human rights, right there with Saudi Arabia, third world nations, and North Korea. I am so thankful to live in a sane part of the world! In Sweden abortions (and birth control too) are subsidized and doesn't cost a thing. They're done at a hospital and staff are not allowed to refuse giving you one. My mom had 2 abortions, one before I was born and 1 after, while married to my dad and living a generally good life with kids. I do not question her choice, nor do I blame her or my dad for "allowing" it to happen because I know it was a mutual decision. I respect their choice for doing what was best for them and our family, and no one in this world can ever say anything else. I am the youngest child of three and knowing I could have been number 4 out of 5 does not bother me. I don't want any kids myself and I am so thankful to live in Sweden where I own the right to decide that.
I thank every single person in this article sharing their story. What is currently happening to women's rights is disgusting and utterly appalling. I can't believe that America, my home and place where we are supposed to feel safe and have hope, is going so far backwards in time. I weep for every single woman who currently cannot get a safe abortion, for whatever reason they need it.
Everyone, American or not, should be absolutely outraged by the current political situation that will put countless women and girls in danger. The state now has more say about their bodies than they do. Abortion will always happen, heartbreakingly they have now been flung back to the Victorian era where they will be performed in back rooms, agonisingly painful with death being a real possibility. Women deserve more
They see the fact that women will die because of this as a feature.
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Very brave for speaking out!! What scares me a bit though is that women feel the need to "justify" their abortion (medical reasons, age, financial problems, rape, etcetera). "I didn't want to be pregnant" should be enough. Period.
I never had an abortion but when I was twelve I did have to get a pregnancy test, i got blood drawn and everything. As I got my blood drawn my mom told me if I was pregnant I'd have to get an abortion. With everything I was dealing with at the time I so scared. I thought I was I gonna die if I got an abortion, because I was so young and little.
Bia, I cannot even imagine the fear you must have felt. I am so sorry that you had to go through that. And this is EXACTLY why women / girls need to have CHOICES... regardless of which way they choose, it must be *their* choice. I hope you've found a soft place to land, since those events, and you're doing well.
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I think all the people in charge of making these decisions should be herded into the same room, and given the explicit details of illegal abortions. The stories of the women who have died and suffered - and no one in that room should be allowed to leave until they've heard it all.
save for the rape victims and health risks, half of these ARE just abortions as alternative birth control methods, make better decisions to prevent pregnancy, then abortion or adoption or debate won't be needed.
Not your body Honey. That's all. It doesn't affect you.
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failed birth control & 3 other children under the age of 5 (one was 6 months!). no regrets because i tried to avoid another pregnancy. #youknowme
I was 16. I didn't even tell my mom. My "lover" got me all the pills and the funds to do so. Immediately went onto birth control after.
This is very depressing to read. I had a girl in my grade (12 or 13) get pregnant, and did not abort. Unfortunately, it caused gossip.
Not only that, I guarantee that it stunted her growth and probably started hormone problems, tore her immature uterus, and put her at risk for infertility later in her life when she wanted to have children.
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God I hate this country. Even North Korea has free abortions. Or so I’ve heard.
other than the rape victims and health risks, why are women exempt from exercising personal responsibility here?
Ok, I know this is going to sound a bit b****y, and I know you can't control if someone rapes you, but at least try to not have sex with people before being married to them. It would make all of this way easier. I get that you might get drugged up, but try to stay away from that stuff. I, myself am a teen and get that you would want to party and have sex with the hot guy, but just try your absolute hardest to stay away from situations that could get you pregnant. Please don't hate on me. I just want to spread this word to everyone
It is fine to have this opinion Herb, but it is not ok to force your opinion on others. So, if you get pregnant, just don't get an abortion. But others with a different opinion should still be able to get a legal and save abortion.
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You must be really upset that many conservative states don't feel the need to educate children about sexual reproduction. Many times it is not laziness, but ignorance that can't be helped because many people thought abstinence only educations would work.
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Read up about what pregnancy does to a woman's body, then speak. Their body, THEIR choice!! Did you read ANY of these tweets?! Young women and girls have NO obligation to put their body through an entire pregnancy after being raped. The psychological and physical impact is real. What do you not understand about this? Educate yourself before preaching. Bottom line, NOT. YOUR. CHOICE.
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You ask for people to have an honest debate and then use dishonest talking points. Abortion does not create a "whore fest free for all" as you so eloquently put it. Also if it is not about controlling a woman's body why does the pro"life" movement not support other ways to reduce abortions like sex education and birth control? Or try to bring down the cost of birth and adoption? There are a whole host of ways to reduce the abortion rate without making it illegal.
Load More Replies... Honestly, America... I don't get it. If I can't care for that child or it comes from a rape or condom-ghosting or a contraceptive malfunction, it's forced upon a woman to carry that unwanted child to term? And what about a birth defect? Something really serious that may not be immediately fatal but cause that child terrible pain for a few weeks before it dies anyway? Are you saying its better to have that child born to a life (however short) of suffering than to prevent that suffering altogether? Seriously, what is it with America and trying to relegate women's reproductive organs?? I live in a 1st world country that allows abortion and we don't have clinics at every corner! But we do have physicians that provide us the best care and support during a difficult decision in our lives. Ever since that Orange clown sits in the big white building, America is slowly but surely degenerating... Save yourselves, Women, before the facists come for you! (German, I know a fascist when I see one!)
It's not America doing this b******t, it's American politicians. These bills were passed in spite of overwhelming opposition by the people.
Load More Replies... What's absolutely amazing to me is a man can just pick up and walk away from a pregnant woman without looking back, but that woman needs to carry that child to term... her body needs to go through the changes of pregnancy, and then her body needs to go through the trauma of birth or a c-section. Men never seem to be held accountable here. Where are the laws charging them with child abandonment or neglect? Why don't we start there? We are living in a country right now that doesn't give a s**t about mental health. If a woman is raped and becomes pregnant, every day she carries that child, every pound she gains, every kick she feels... every second is a CONSTANT reminder of that rape. How is that woman ever supposed to recover? I am DISGUSTED where this country is headed. If a person doesn't agree with abortion, no one is forcing them to have one, but DO NOT TAKE THE RIGHT AWAY FROM A WOMAN WHO WANTS OR NEEDS ONE. End. Of. Story.
I'll be honest, I used to be a Pro-Lifer. But that was when I was still in high school and I hadn't known much about abortion and rape and things like that until I was able to join sites like this. It's really opened my eyes to the issues our world is dealing with, and now that I've read up on a lot of this, I am DEFINITELY a Pro-Choicer. Thank you all for opening my eyes. :)
In Quebec "The decision to either continue a pregnancy or get an abortion is personal. This decision belongs to the woman; she is free to make her choice according to her desires and circumstances. There are many reasons why a woman might decide to get an abortion. The reasons are specific to each woman, and belong to her. Personnel delivering abortion services respect each woman’s decision without passing judgement. They provide abortion services and follow-up neutrally, respectfully and with complete confidentiality. "
The Canadian Supreme Court settled this for ALL of Canada decades ago.
Load More Replies... Against abortion? Don't f*****g have one. Until men can get pregnant, they shouldn't be able to legislate what women can legally do with their body.
You would rather a woman be forced against her will to have a child she doesn't want so that child will likely grow up in poverty (which your taxes will pay for), unloved (possibly CPS taken, again taxes pay for), or just neglected (see reasoning two). The truth is you pro-lifers don't give a sh!t about the child once they're born. I don't see any of yall volunteering at homeless shelters or offering money or support to single mothers. No instead you shame them. You make them feel like sh!t for the decisions they already regret. You will not lose sleep at night because a woman you don't really care about anyway has an abortion.
This really makes me angry reading some comments. Why do women have to explain themselves? Its OUR body and OUR decision and not theirs! for god sakes, it could be ANY reason why they abort it like a heavy illness on the child or the pregnant women or simply that theyre way too young or victims. Its for me the same as they ask rape victims "what did you wear?" Like guess what. Thank god i was 7 and havent got my period at that time because i would have to worry about getting pregnant of a baby from my cousin who raped me at that time!!! And hell no i WOULDN'T kept the baby just to put it on adoption. Think of it. Also its THEIR decision
'Conservative' politicians are ruining the USA with their faux morality that is used to justify their misogyny and fascism. Real Christians should speak out and vote against this intolerable cruelty, which their savior never would have forced upon women in their darkest hours. Where is your Human compassion??? Where is your pro life rhetoric when your actual born children are being murdered by the guns you protect with more vigor than the kids they kill?
Alabama, you got The weight on your shoulders That's breaking your back Your Cadillac Has got a wheel in the ditch And a wheel on the track
It is infuriating to have to explain why you need to have control over your own body at this day and age. And yet, here we are... It's almost surreal. Please read the blog parenting exposed to get a glimpse of the abuse and torture parents who should never had to become parents inflict on their children.
Congrats America! You are officially a lousy nation for basic human rights, right there with Saudi Arabia, third world nations, and North Korea. I am so thankful to live in a sane part of the world! In Sweden abortions (and birth control too) are subsidized and doesn't cost a thing. They're done at a hospital and staff are not allowed to refuse giving you one. My mom had 2 abortions, one before I was born and 1 after, while married to my dad and living a generally good life with kids. I do not question her choice, nor do I blame her or my dad for "allowing" it to happen because I know it was a mutual decision. I respect their choice for doing what was best for them and our family, and no one in this world can ever say anything else. I am the youngest child of three and knowing I could have been number 4 out of 5 does not bother me. I don't want any kids myself and I am so thankful to live in Sweden where I own the right to decide that.
I thank every single person in this article sharing their story. What is currently happening to women's rights is disgusting and utterly appalling. I can't believe that America, my home and place where we are supposed to feel safe and have hope, is going so far backwards in time. I weep for every single woman who currently cannot get a safe abortion, for whatever reason they need it.
Everyone, American or not, should be absolutely outraged by the current political situation that will put countless women and girls in danger. The state now has more say about their bodies than they do. Abortion will always happen, heartbreakingly they have now been flung back to the Victorian era where they will be performed in back rooms, agonisingly painful with death being a real possibility. Women deserve more
They see the fact that women will die because of this as a feature.
Load More Replies... Very brave for speaking out!! What scares me a bit though is that women feel the need to "justify" their abortion (medical reasons, age, financial problems, rape, etcetera). "I didn't want to be pregnant" should be enough. Period.
I never had an abortion but when I was twelve I did have to get a pregnancy test, i got blood drawn and everything. As I got my blood drawn my mom told me if I was pregnant I'd have to get an abortion. With everything I was dealing with at the time I so scared. I thought I was I gonna die if I got an abortion, because I was so young and little.
Bia, I cannot even imagine the fear you must have felt. I am so sorry that you had to go through that. And this is EXACTLY why women / girls need to have CHOICES... regardless of which way they choose, it must be *their* choice. I hope you've found a soft place to land, since those events, and you're doing well.
Load More Replies... I think all the people in charge of making these decisions should be herded into the same room, and given the explicit details of illegal abortions. The stories of the women who have died and suffered - and no one in that room should be allowed to leave until they've heard it all.
save for the rape victims and health risks, half of these ARE just abortions as alternative birth control methods, make better decisions to prevent pregnancy, then abortion or adoption or debate won't be needed.
Not your body Honey. That's all. It doesn't affect you.
Load More Replies... failed birth control & 3 other children under the age of 5 (one was 6 months!). no regrets because i tried to avoid another pregnancy. #youknowme
I was 16. I didn't even tell my mom. My "lover" got me all the pills and the funds to do so. Immediately went onto birth control after.
This is very depressing to read. I had a girl in my grade (12 or 13) get pregnant, and did not abort. Unfortunately, it caused gossip.
Not only that, I guarantee that it stunted her growth and probably started hormone problems, tore her immature uterus, and put her at risk for infertility later in her life when she wanted to have children.
Load More Replies... God I hate this country. Even North Korea has free abortions. Or so I’ve heard.
other than the rape victims and health risks, why are women exempt from exercising personal responsibility here?
Ok, I know this is going to sound a bit b****y, and I know you can't control if someone rapes you, but at least try to not have sex with people before being married to them. It would make all of this way easier. I get that you might get drugged up, but try to stay away from that stuff. I, myself am a teen and get that you would want to party and have sex with the hot guy, but just try your absolute hardest to stay away from situations that could get you pregnant. Please don't hate on me. I just want to spread this word to everyone
It is fine to have this opinion Herb, but it is not ok to force your opinion on others. So, if you get pregnant, just don't get an abortion. But others with a different opinion should still be able to get a legal and save abortion.
Load More Replies... You must be really upset that many conservative states don't feel the need to educate children about sexual reproduction. Many times it is not laziness, but ignorance that can't be helped because many people thought abstinence only educations would work.
Load More Replies... Read up about what pregnancy does to a woman's body, then speak. Their body, THEIR choice!! Did you read ANY of these tweets?! Young women and girls have NO obligation to put their body through an entire pregnancy after being raped. The psychological and physical impact is real. What do you not understand about this? Educate yourself before preaching. Bottom line, NOT. YOUR. CHOICE.
Load More Replies... You ask for people to have an honest debate and then use dishonest talking points. Abortion does not create a "whore fest free for all" as you so eloquently put it. Also if it is not about controlling a woman's body why does the pro"life" movement not support other ways to reduce abortions like sex education and birth control? Or try to bring down the cost of birth and adoption? There are a whole host of ways to reduce the abortion rate without making it illegal.
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