Women are courageously taking to Twitter to share their stories about abortion — and it’s starting a powerful conversation.
More:This is reality for Chilean women who don’t have the right to an abortion
The hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion was created over the weekend by activists Lindy West, Amelia Bonow and Kimberly Morrison in reaction to the news that the U.S. House of Representatives has voted to defund Planned Parenthood. In reaction to this decision, women have banded together to share their personal accounts.
Many women have revealed that they felt relief after the abortion, not regret.
I had an abortion 21yrs ago, when I was 19. Wasn't traumatized. Never regretted it. Not ashamed. Thanks Bertram Wainer.#ShoutYourAbortion
— Tash (@ThornburyRocks) September 21, 2015
Nothing in my life would be what it is now without my abortion. I regret nothing!!!!!!!!! #ShoutYourAbortion
— shelby (@shelbinhas) September 21, 2015
I was 20, in school and my bc failed. I did not want a child. It was the right choice and I've never regretted it. #shoutyourabortion
— tamelioness.bsky.social (@tame_lioness) September 21, 2015
Women have also shared the situations they found themselves in before choosing to get an abortion.
https://twitter.com/bunnibutts/status/646012460231753728
I was a married mother of 6 whose husband was struggling to make ends meet. We made the best decision for OUR family. #ShoutYourAbortion
— datchik (@DatChikOvaDere) September 21, 2015
More:Why men don’t have a right to choose when it comes to abortion
And a reminder that no one should govern the rights of your body.
https://twitter.com/Runs_Wild/status/646034556575981568
https://twitter.com/fem_cents/status/645991332209672193
Abortion should not be a source of shame. Regardless of the reason, the choice of what happens to your body is yours. #ShoutYourAbortion
— Lavender Haze (@sarafantastical) September 21, 2015
There are also encouraging stories of women who have gone on to conceive later in life — and are enjoying motherhood.
We'd been together 8 weeks, BC failure. Were NOT ready to be parents. Best choice. We are now married 14 yrs, 2 kids. #ShoutYourAbortion
— harmonys.bsky.social (@fonticulus) September 21, 2015
I had an abortion when my son was 4 & I stand by my decision b/c it was best for my family #ShoutYourAbortion
— Samantha Updegrave (@scupdegrave) September 20, 2015
18 & broke + pregnant = bad. Abortion + 3yrs later + married + stable job = a great life for my baby. #ShoutYourAbortion
— Sophia Sky (@SophiaSkySays) September 21, 2015
More:Woman shares painful story about how she was manipulated by abortion doctors
It takes a lot of courage to share such a deeply personal story on social media, knowing that there may be negative backlash from trolls or those that are anti-abortion.
https://twitter.com/KerryReads/status/646003221853552640
But the fact that this happened and that women are not even able to share their stories about abortion without receiving harsh criticism prove this is a topic that, as a society, we need to discuss.
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