Abortion Speak Out Campaign
In order to combat the stigma and shame of abortion, we at Women's Health Specialists know the tremendous impact that women can have by sharing their stories. Not only do women feel less isolated but they feel more supported by other women. Policy makers take more notice from women's first hand stories. If you have had an illegal abortion, please include yourself in this campaign and share your story. You can join other women in keeping abortion accessible and help shed the guilt and shame for all women.. Please see below to join our campaign.
Click here to read other women's stories.
One in three women in the United States has had an abortion in their lifetime. These women are our daughters, sisters, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, co-workers, and friends. Abortion is not a tragedy, as many politicians claim, but a necessity in many women’s lives. Many women who have abortions already have had children. Many uniformed people have a critical image of women who have abortions, stating that they use abortion as birth control. While it is true that abortion is the ultimate form of controlling birth, half of all women getting abortions used birth control the month that they concieved.
The Supreme Court granted women the right to choose on the grounds that they had the right to privacy in the decision as to whether to carry a pregnancy to term. This privacy allows women to make their decisions with their family and friends and to seek out and get abortion care without undue interference -- or potential violence -- from others. Today, that privacy has been shattered by bands of raucous pickets, shouting insults and displaying signs showing aborted fetuses, in front of medical facilities.
On May 31, 2009, Dr. George Tiller was gunned down. He is the eighth abortion provider or supporter to be killed by terrorists who are determined to drive fear into the hearts of women getting abortions and into those people providing them. The violence directed at women seeking abortions and providers of abortion is an American tragedy. As a result of anti-abortion rhetoric, doctors and women seeking abortion have been demonized, marginalized, and stigmatized.
We at Women's Health Specialists decry the ongoing injustice against women who have abortions and abortion providers. Not only are there terrorist acts against abortion providers, but the courts continue to undermine the privacy principles which form the basis for legal abortion. In the later months of 2009, our policiticians continue to abandon women by denying them health reform that covers abortion.
In order to combat the marginalization of women seeking abortion, it is time for women to speak out and tell their abortion stories without shame and disclose their names. We are launching an abortion Speak Out campaign so that women's stories can be shared with policy makers and to stop the stigma of abortion. If you have had an abortion, remember that there are many women who have had one too. When women share their abortion experiences, the realize that they truly are not alone.
Read the "Consent to Use My Name" below the sample statement for more information on how you can participate and how your story might be shared. If you want to participate remember to fill out the "Please describe your story" section.
Carol Downer's Speak Out:
Carol Downer's Speak Out:
I had an abortion, and I don’t care who knows it or what their opinion is, because I know that I made the right decision for me, for my loved ones and for my community. I had the right to make that decision and I expect my fellow Americans to completely support that right, even if they disagree with my decision.
I furthermore demand that my elected officials and law enforcement agencies protect my right to make my decision and protect me and those who help me implement that decision. Any debates on the issue of abortion must not be conducted at or near the medical facility when I seek the necessary medical care.
All those who seek to unlawfully harass me or intrude on my medical care must be quickly discouraged or arrested. All lawless behavior toward me or my medical provider is unsafe and dangerous and must be punished. I have the basic right to privacy to seek confidential medical care. All women should be assured that the atmosphere at the medical facility will be peaceful, orderly, and safe where the abortion is performed.