#ShoutYourAbortion Aims to De-Stigmatize Women’s Choices

While I’ve never had an abortion, I have plenty of female friends who have. What’s always struck me about the way that they talk about them is that, even though they had no problem making the decision to do it, and had every legal right to do it, they still felt the need to talk about them to me, a friend, in whispers.

The topic will come up when we’re out and about, and our loud, raucous conversation will dive into hushed tones when discussing “my abortion.” One friend of mine, when talking about it with me while sitting at a cafe, looked over both shoulders before leaning in close to talk to me about it. Again, not ashamed of her decision, but concerned that no one around us be able to hear, and therefore judge. Because despite having certain legal freedoms, women often don’t have societal freedom to talk about their needs, concerns, or experiences safely.

Which is why hashtags like #ShoutYourAbortion are so important. Writers Lindy West and Amelia Bonow started the hashtag after the recent vote by the US House of Representatives to de-fund Planned Parenthood with the hope of allowing women to be open about their experiences, de-stigmatize discussions surrounding abortion, and show the world that this one decision does not mark these women as horrible people, or parents. That their lives are actually better now having made the decision, and that different women have different reasons for having abortions, but that none of them should be ashamed to talk about it.

#ShoutYourAbortion isn’t about “bragging,” it’s about not being ashamed. There’s a difference. People who use the hashtags #IHaveCancer or #MentalIllness aren’t “bragging” that they have a certain medical condition, they’re trying to de-stigmatize discussion of that condition. Likewise, the women who are shouting their abortions right now aren’t bragging about having needed to have them – they’re trying to de-stigmatize talking about them.

If I were ever surprised by a pregnancy, I likely wouldn’t have an abortion. It’s not the choice I, personally, would make. However, I want nothing more than to protect the rights of my sisters on this planet to have their needs met and to be able to discuss those needs without shame. They shouldn’t have to look over their shoulders to feel safe enough to talk about their experiences. They should be able to speak freely and live honestly without society, figuratively or literally, throwing stones.

(via Buzzfeed)

—Please make note of The Mary Sue’s general comment policy.—

Do you follow The Mary Sue on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, & Google +?

Have a tip we should know? tips@themarysue.com

Author

Close

Teresa Jusino

Teresa Jusino (she/her) is a native New Yorker and a proud Puerto Rican, Jewish, bisexual woman with ADHD. She's been writing professionally since 2010 and was a former TMS assistant editor from 2015-18. Now, she's back as a contributing writer. When not writing about pop culture, she's writing screenplays and is the creator of your future favorite genre show. Teresa lives in L.A. with her brilliant wife. Her other great loves include: Star Trek, The Last of Us, anything by Brian K. Vaughan, and her Level 5 android Paladin named Lal.

youtube