Mark Ruffalo Reveals Mom's Illegal Abortion in a Heroic Open Letter

dinsdag 20 augustus 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Maressa Brown 1 hour ago

All over the country, some state governments have declared a new wave of the war on women, passing sweeping restrictions on abortion and other women's health care services -- 11-hour filibusters from rising star Sen. Wendy Davis, be damned! But conservative, anti-abortion voices aren't the only ones speaking up. Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo recently made his position on the subject known in a statement of support for a pro-choice campaign. His remarks were read at a rally outside of Mississippi's last abortion clinic, Jackson Women's Health Organization, this past weekend, making quite the impression. In great part because he talked about his own mother's traumatizing experience of having an abortion before it was safe and legal.

Here, seven best points Ruffalo made in the heartfelt, timely, incredibly important statement ...

On his mom's experience: "I have a mother who was forced to illegally have an abortion in her state where abortion was illegal when she was a very young woman. It cost $600 cash. It was a traumatizing thing for her. It was shameful and sleazy and demeaning. When I heard the story I was aghast by the lowliness of a society that would make a woman do that."On the era in which his mother had an illegal abortion: "What happened to my mother was a relic of an America that was not free nor equal nor very kind. ... It was a time when women were seen as second rate citizens who were not smart enough, nor responsible enough, nor capable enough to make decisions about their lives."On progress: "I don’t want to turn back the hands of time to when women shuttled across state lines in the thick of night to resolve an unwanted pregnancy, in a cheap hotel room just south of the state line."On trusting women: "I actually trust the women I know. I trust them with their choices, I trust them with their bodies, and I trust them with their children. I trust that they are decent enough and wise enough and worthy enough to carry the right of Abortion and not be forced to criminally exercise that Right at the risk of death or jail time."On illegal abortion's similarities to racism: "There was no mistake in us making abortion legal and available on demand. That was what we call progress. Just like it was no mistake that we abolished institutional racism in this country around the same time."On the recent moves made by conservative politicians: "There is nothing to be ashamed of here except to allow a radical and recessive group of people to bully and intimidate our mothers and sisters and daughters for exercising their right of choice. Or use terrorism and fanaticism to block their legal rights or take the lives of their caregivers. Or design legislation that would chip away at those rights disguised as reinforcing a woman’s health."On what being pro-choice truly means: "I invite you to find your voice and let it be known that you stand for abortion rights and the dignity of a woman to be the master of her own life and body."

What are your thoughts on Mark Ruffalo's statement?

Image via Tony Felgueiras/Wikimedia

Click "Like" for more on issues that are important to moms. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maressa Brown

has enjoyed reporting and writing for a variety of entertainment and women's magazines and websites. More often than not, you'll find her blogging, hitting the gym, reading, researching something on her iPhone, laughing, chatting at an above-"normal" volume, or getting her caffeine fix.

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Texas Passes Strict Anti-Abortion Bill That Could Make Abortion an Impossibility for Many Women

zaterdag 13 juli 2013

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AppId is over the quota
by Kiri Blakeley 5 hours ago

Texas has finally managed to pass one of the most restrictive abortion bills in the nation. It will ban abortion entirely after 20 weeks. There are no exceptions for rape and incest. Abortion doctors will have to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and require them to take place in surgical centers, which most abortion clinics, especially those serving rural areas, will be financially unable to do, forcing them to close. It will restrict access to the abortion pill. Teen mothers will also need parental consent to get birth control or abortion information.

Sen. Wendy Davis managed to filibuster the bill away last month, but not this time.

The bill is expected to have the most impact on low income women, who are most likely not to have health insurance. Experts fear those women will turn to dangerous abortions performed in Mexico or abortion-inducing pills sold at flea markets.

Before the bill had passed, the legislature confiscated tampons and pads from women entering the chamber, thinking they might be used as projectile objects. Gotta love Texas. Guns are fine but not tampons!

Meanwhile, Republicans are pushing for major cuts in food stamps. So all of these children who will be born thanks to the lack of abortions clinics won't be able to eat either. Human rights begin at conception and end at birth, indeed.

After the bill was passed, Governor Rick Perry said: "This legislation builds on the strong and unwavering commitment we have made to defend life and protect women's health."

But of course we know this has nothing to do with women's health. You don't close down free clinics that offer mammograms and STD screening if you care about women's health, and you don't severely restrict access to legal and already safe abortions if you care about women's health. And, for the record, you don't cut off food stamp programs if you care about children.

Democrats have vowed to fight the bill but they have a long and difficult road ahead of them. Meanwhile, I sincerely hope that Texas women stop letting men use their bodies for their pleasure since men want so badly to control all aspects of them. I also expect to see Republican politicians stepping up to adopt all of the unwanted babies that will be had in the state. I expect to see free daycare. I expect to see more health insurance options for pregnant women. I expect to see more family planning options to prevent pregnancy.

I won't see any of it.

Where do you stand on the bill?

Image via rcboden/Flickr

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