10 Celebrities Who Have Shared Their Abortion Stories Amid the Dangerously Restrictive Georgia and Alabama Bans
Over the past 10 days, Georgia and Alabama passed dangerously restrictive abortion laws that will put the lives and health of women in jeopardy. With Georgia's "Heartbeat Bill," women won't be able to receive abortions after a heartbeat is detected, which can happen after just six weeks into a pregnancy and two weeks after your first missed period. And in Alabama, unless a woman's life is at risk, she cannot receive an abortion, which means if she was raped or a survivor of incest, she's out of luck and might have to resort to other, dangerous options. As for the doctors in Alabama, they'd be charged with a felony for performing an abortion.
Basically, this is so effed up and so, so scary, and celebrities have taken to sharing their abortion stories to put a face to just a few of the many women who have ended a pregnancy. Busy Philipps even started a hashtag (#youknowme) to encourage women to speak out, and many celebrities have followed suit using it. Here are a few of the women who spoke up this week:
Cecile Richards
The former Planned Parenthood president said, "I had an abortion. It was the right decision for me, and it wasn't a hard one... But the fact is, we shouldn't have to share our most personal experiences simply to try to generate a measure of empathy from politicians."
I had an abortion. It was the right decision for me, and it wasn't a hard one. My husband and I were working more than full time and had three kids already. I was fortunate that, at the time, accessing abortion in TX was not the nightmare it is now. #YouKnowMe
- Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) May 16, 2019
Busy Philipps
On her Busy Tonight show, the host said, "I had an abortion when I was 15 years old and I’m telling you this because I’m genuinely really scared for women and girls all over the country... Is it kind of jarring? Yes, it is also kind of jarring. But, guess what? That’s what being a f-ing woman is. Having a regular Tuesday and then suddenly being reminded that people are trying to police your body. And then you just have to go back to work.”
1 in 4 women have had an abortion. Many people think they don't know someone who has, but #youknowme. So let's do this: if you are also the 1 in 4, let's share it and start to end the shame. Use #youknowme and share your truth.
- Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) May 15, 2019
Cynthia Nixon
Using #youknowme, the Sex and the City star said her mother had an illegal abortion 60 years ago and her wife had a legal abortion in 2010 when they "found out her pregnancy was not viable."
Almost 60 years ago, my mother had an illegal abortion. It was too harrowing for her to discuss, but she made sure I knew it had happened. In 2010, my wife had a legal abortion after we found out her pregnancy was not viable. We cannot and will not go back. #YouKnowMe #YouKnowUs
- Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) May 16, 2019
Amber Tamblyn
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress said having an abortion was "one of the hardest decisions" she ever made, but it was still "the right choice."
In 2012, I had an abortion. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I still think about it to this day. But these truths do not make me regret my decision. It was the right choice for me, at that time in my life. I have not a single doubt about this. #YouKnowMe
- Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) May 16, 2019
Minka Kelly
Friday Night Lights actress Minka Kelly shared her story on Instagram and said, "Having a baby at that time would have only perpetuated the cycle of poverty, chaos and dysfunction I was born into. Forcing a child to be born to a mother who isn’t ready, isn’t financially stable, was raped, a victim of incest (!!), isn’t doing that theoretical child any favors."
A post shared by Minka Kelly (@minkakelly) on May 16, 2019 at 5:48am PDT
Jameela Jamil
After the Georgia law was passed, the Good Place actress said having an abortion was the best decision for her and without access to safe abortions, "so many children will end up in foster homes." She also noted it would be difficult to find suitable families for these children to live with.
I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn’t want, and wasn’t ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel.
- Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
Zerlina Maxwell
MSNBC political analyst Zerlina Maxwell said she shared her story so people can know someone who has had an abortion.
I had an abortion when I was 18 years old. I’m not sure if I’ve ever talked about it on here but I’m not ashamed so I’m sharing today because if #youknowme then you know someone who has had an abortion.
- Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) May 16, 2019
Tess Holiday
The model opened up and said she had an abortion because her "mental health couldn’t handle being pregnant again" and said it was "excruciating on many levels, but necessary."
A post shared by T E S S H🍒L L I D A Y (@tessholliday) on May 16, 2019 at 8:38am PDT
Milla Jovovich
Model and actress Milla Jovovich said she had to undergo an emergency abortion two years ago when she was four and a half months pregnant. She added, "I went into pre term labor and told that I had to be awake for the whole procedure. It was one of the most horrific experiences I have ever gone through. I still have nightmares about it. I was alone and helpless. When I think about the fact that women might have to face abortions in even worse conditions than I did because of new laws, my stomach turns."
A post shared by Milla Jovovich (@millajovovich) on May 14, 2019 at 11:02am PDT
Ashley Judd
Divergent actress Ashley Judd used Busy's hashtag and wrote, "Raped at 30, I terminated the pregnancy. Additionally, the rapist would have had paternity rights."
A post shared by Ashley Judd (@ashley_judd) on May 16, 2019 at 10:06am PDT
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