The fight over abortion and possibly defunding Planned Parenthood has recently centered around a social media hashtag.
Abortion-rights supporters and abortion opponents are duking it out; as are a cadre of those who think the whole idea is a little too in-your-face.
The movement started Saturday, September 19, 2015, with a Facebook post by a woman named Amelia Bonow, who recounted the story of her abortion and the “inexpressible level of gratitude” she felt afterwords.
“I am telling you this today because the narrative of those working to defund Planned Parenthood relies on the assumption that abortion is still something to be whispered about,” Bonow wrote. “Plenty of people still believe that on some level — if you are a good woman — abortion is a choice which should accompanied by some level of sadness, shame, or regret. But you know what? I have a good heart and having an abortion made me happy in a totally unqualified way. Why wouldn’t I be happy that I was not forced to become a mother?”
Seattle writer Lindy West took a screenshot of the post and added the #ShoutYourAbortion hashtag.
“It’s about destigmatization, normalization, and putting an end to shame,” West wrote in another tweet Monday.
Some say it’s about removing the stigma associated with the choice to have an abortion. Many affirmed accounts of abortions that they said were necessary, even positive, moments in their lives.
A Shout Your Abortion Facebook page was quickly launched in support of the idea behind the hashtag. The page became unavailable late Tuesday morning, September 22.
There were also plenty of messages from those opposed, and a Shout Your Abortion – Regret Facebook page was launched as well; it, too, appeared to have been taken down shortly before noon Tuesday, September 22.
Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin was among the public figures who weighed in, urging followers to “Shout this LOUDER: #PPSellsBabyParts.”
The effort to remove federal funding from Planned Parenthood comes amid allegations that the women’s health organization tries to profit from the sale of fetal tissue from abortions. The controversy was sparked by a series of secretly recorded videos showing Planned Parenthood executives discussing the transfer of fetal tissue.
Planned Parenthood says it follows federal law, which does not allow the sale of human tissue, but allows reimbursement for “reasonable” costs.
Many just felt the discussion was too public, too in-your-face.
“Regardless of your stance on abortion, why can’t we all agree it’s not something to brag about? Why is #ShoutYourAbortion a thing? Ugh,” wrote Twitter user comcatholicgirl.
But West says that getting the discussion out in public is the whole point of the effort.
“You never have to feel ashamed of your personal medical decisions,” she tweeted. “You can speak about them at full volume.”
(edited from content provided by CNN)
