What the actual f&$%.
Well, as much as I try avoid current events for various reasons (e.g. not to freeze my messages in time, but namely not to alienate anyone over our potentially opposing perspectives), here are 7 very important, time-sensitive things that I couldn’t wait until next week to share:
First off, are you as upset as I am with the Supreme Court right now?
As a woman who would likely be dead or at the least wishing I was had I not had the life-saving, legal and safe abortion I did almost 17 years ago (nope: thinking hard on this, and I would absolutely be dead)—I’m feeling a mélange of emotions. But right now, please, for the love and respect of women and girls, please get involved. Here’s a link to the National Network of Abortion Funds if you’re in a place to donate; get involved in local protests (use search engine DuckDuckGo to search: [your city] + “abortion protest”); and/or check out this list on more things you can do.
I held back tears last night as we watched news reports before I had to leave the room and take a cold shower. Through clenched teeth, I said to my husband, “maybe all women should withhold sex from straight men, and maybe then they’ll fight with us for fucking once.” Maybe that last part was unfair, but I’m furious. He had no words, but he put his arm around my shoulder and held me—his warmth and his love (and probably his fear as a parent to three children with female sex organs) enveloped me.
But maybe after enough women have to avoidably die like they did in those “back alley” abortion days, maybe then things will change. Or maybe it’ll be after the government has to pick up the bill on many of these forced pregnancies—maybe then things will change. Does the Supreme Court even know how much it costs to have a baby in the U.S.? (by Erin Gloria Ryan) Oh, I forgot: those in favor of overturning Roe v. Wade don’t give a fuck—it won’t directly affect them. Got it.
Then, what could happen if Roe v. Wade is overturned (on NPR), and “what’s next” (on The New Yorker), and from a medical standpoint breakdown (on Medical News Today).
And lastly, no matter what U.S. state you reside in, if you need an abortion now or in the future, read this first (from the Digital Defense Fund).
“Control leads to compliance; autonomy leads to engagement.” —Daniel H. Pink
Again, I’m feeling a lot right now.
I’m angry.
Depending on who or what you follow for information, I’m sure you’re seeing and hearing a ton on abortion rights currently; but I’m passionate about lending my voice and my story, and using my platform to encourage other women (and everyone else!) to stand up! Because no matter what gender you identify as, or what sex organs you have, or what you believe in or practice, bodily autonomy should be a universal truth. And right now women’s is under threat in the United States.
I’m lucky to be a Washingtonian where our governor promises to defend abortion rights, but it doesn’t mean we’ll always be safe.
I’m hopeful more governors than just “Blue states” ones will stand up and defend the right for women to choose whether we want to carry an unwanted or life-threatening pregnancy to term; like they boisterously defended their right when it came to choosing not to wear a mask during a global pandemic with an airborne virus, and not to get vaccinated if they didn’t want to. (Not even the threat of erectile dysfunction made a difference, so maybe the withholding of sex is the only way… at least that might work to sway the Supreme Court-siding men who can still get it up, that is.)
I’m processing.
I’m disgusted.
I’m viscerally-to-my-core incensed.
As a mother to three children with female reproductive organs, where none of us would be alive without that difficult decision I made 17 years ago, I will fight.
Because what’s next if I don’t?
What’s next if we don’t?
All my best,
Sara
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