New Website Encourages Women To Discuss Their Abortions
It’s called Not Alone, and allows women a to share their experiences and get support.
Click here for reuse options!After Emily Letts posted a video of her own abortion procedure on YouTube, she knew it would spark a discussion. She wanted to open up a space to talk honestly about the medical procedure. The 25-year-old New Jersey resident also inspired some harsh backlash from right-wing sites, as some conservative commentators called her video “horrible” and “disturbing.” But that didn’t shut her up.
Instead, Letts became even more involved in the advocacy work of collecting abortion stories — a method of normalizing a procedure that one in three U.S. women experiences at some point in her life. She joined Not Alone, an organization encouraging women to talk about their abortions that just launched a new website this week.
“Our nation’s silence around abortion has allowed dangerous myths to dominate the debate. By sharing our own experiences through videos, putting our faces alongside our stories, we can change the conversation around abortion and fight back against increasing attacks on women’s rights,” Not Alone’s new site explains…
“We started really exploring the testimonial power of video,” Letts told ThinkProgress. “It can be a little scary or overwhelming at first to push that record button… But wouldn’t it be great if we could get to a place where people are making videos and supporting each other? It’s only once we give those stories a space, and let people know that women who have abortions are real people, that we can really support and value these experiences instead of shaming them.”
Copyright 2014 Liberaland
68 responses to New Website Encourages Women To Discuss Their Abortions
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
R.J. Carter July 10th, 2014 at 12:26
I wonder how many of the videos will be of the “Hey, I did it, it was no big deal” variety.
mea_mark July 10th, 2014 at 12:35
Probably very few. That is how some men view it though, since they don’t have to go through it and are pretty much ignorant about it.
Anomaly 100 July 10th, 2014 at 12:37
Sure, there are some like that. But the majority of women take abortion very seriously and it’s not an easy decision. As for the others, there are people that do a variety of things without thought or regard for others so that will happen.
R.J. Carter July 10th, 2014 at 12:42
It isn’t and shouldn’t be. I got that vibe from Letts’ original video however, and now there’s the upcoming “Obvious Child” movie that’s actually garnering praise for not having it be some agonizing choice.
M A G July 10th, 2014 at 13:32
Because sometimes it’s not an agonizing choice. And we can feel that’s sad but it’s still not our choice to make for someone else.
R.J. Carter July 10th, 2014 at 14:25
Don’t want to. In fact, I think the best thing for the whole pro-life crowd would be if as many women as possible talk about their abortion experience, as honestly and openly as they dare.
I think it would be the best path to keeping abortions legal while also creating a repository of stories that could be the catalyst for people ensuring they don’t put themselves in the position where they may need one.
Ron Luce July 10th, 2014 at 13:32
If that is the woman’s experience, then she has a right to say it.
But, I’ll guess that few women feel that way.
It certainly is the right wing smear about woman who get abortions. That basically, birth control, enables irresponsible slutty women.
Rusty Shackleford July 10th, 2014 at 13:49
Is that an invalid response to it or something? I know that when me and mine were in that situation, it would have been a no-brainer decision if not for some extenuating circumstances that removed that option.
fahvel July 10th, 2014 at 13:50
your views makes the skin on an alligator crawl. How dare you!!!!!!
R.J. Carter July 10th, 2014 at 14:26
With a brain and a keyboard. Keep going, you’re halfway there.
Charles Almon July 10th, 2014 at 15:30
For most women and especially college girls – it IS no big deal.
You may not like my terminology, but being saddled with a baby, no desire to marry, and a BF who also doesn’t want to marry, coupled with losing a year of education, and the tens of thousands of dollars lost on that degree all enter the picture.
And PLEEEEEEEEEEZE spare me the moralizing about the ‘aspirin between the knees’ thing.
R.J. Carter July 10th, 2014 at 12:26
I wonder how many of the videos will be of the “Hey, I did it, it was no big deal” variety.
mea_mark July 10th, 2014 at 12:35
Probably very few. That is how some men view it though, since they don’t have to go through it and are pretty much ignorant about it.
Anomaly 100 July 10th, 2014 at 12:37
Sure, there are some like that. But the majority of women take abortion very seriously and it’s not an easy decision. As for the others, there are people that do a variety of things without thought or regard for others so that will happen.
R.J. Carter July 10th, 2014 at 12:42
It isn’t and shouldn’t be. I got that vibe from Letts’ original video however, and now there’s the upcoming “Obvious Child” movie that’s actually garnering praise for not having it be some agonizing choice.
MIAtheistGal July 10th, 2014 at 13:32
Because sometimes it’s not an agonizing choice. And we can feel that’s sad but it’s still not our choice to make for someone else.
R.J. Carter July 10th, 2014 at 14:25
Don’t want to. In fact, I think the best thing for the whole pro-life crowd would be if as many women as possible talk about their abortion experience, as honestly and openly as they dare.
I think it would be the best path to keeping abortions legal while also creating a repository of stories that could be the catalyst for people ensuring they don’t put themselves in the position where they may need one.
Ron Luce July 10th, 2014 at 13:32
If that is the woman’s experience, then she has a right to say it.
But, I’ll guess that few women feel that way.
It certainly is the right wing smear about woman who get abortions. That basically, birth control, enables irresponsible slutty women.
Rusty Shackleford July 10th, 2014 at 13:49
Is that an invalid response to it or something? I know that when me and mine were in that situation, it would have been a no-brainer decision if not for some extenuating circumstances that removed that option.
fahvel July 10th, 2014 at 13:50
your views makes the skin on an alligator crawl. How dare you!!!!!!
R.J. Carter July 10th, 2014 at 14:26
With a brain and a keyboard. Keep going, you’re halfway there.
Dora Glasberg July 10th, 2014 at 15:30
For most women and especially college girls – it IS no big deal.
You may not like my terminology, but being saddled with a baby, no desire to marry, and a BF who also doesn’t want to marry, coupled with losing a year of education, and the tens of thousands of dollars lost on that degree all enter the picture.
And PLEEEEEEEEEEZE spare me the moralizing about the ‘aspirin between the knees’ thing.
Ron Luce July 10th, 2014 at 13:15
I have mixed feelings about this.
Like many pro-choice people, I still find abortion sad.
But, “coming out” has been very effective for removing the stigma of homosexuality. We learned that our aunts, nephews, neighbors, teachers, soldiers, etc are gay and we know they are fine people.
Women who have had abortions (or used birth control!) should not be stigmatized, either. I think most people would be shocked at a how many women, close to them, have had an abortion. Women we like and respect.
Charles Almon July 10th, 2014 at 15:22
There is really no need to “come out”
The whole idiotic premise that an abortion equates with a stigma of some kind, is just religious zealot nonsense.
Abortion is a perfectly LEGAL medical procedure.
Dwendt44 July 10th, 2014 at 16:22
Charles is correct. The whole anti-abortion propaganda meme claims that having an abortion will scar a woman and cause deep psychological damage. AND they can trot out an example of said condition to prove it.. As if one weak minded conflicted woman is proof of anything. Never mind that she’s been brow beaten into thinking she’s a murderer and a sinner.
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:22
Wow.
You misunderstand this whole project, and your baseless personal attacks on women you don’t even know are duly noted.
Charles Almon July 10th, 2014 at 17:48
I think we need a site
to share our experience
with exploding diarrhea
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:51
Then make one. It will keep you occupied and away from this board.
Dwendt44 July 10th, 2014 at 17:51
And you know that I don’t know women like I mentioned? How so?
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:56
Lucky guess.
It doesn’t make me wrong.
Dwendt44 July 10th, 2014 at 16:22
Charles is correct. The whole anti-abortion propaganda meme claims that having an abortion will scar a woman and cause deep psychological damage. AND they can trot out an example of said condition to prove it.. As if one weak minded conflicted woman is proof of anything. Never mind that she’s been brow beaten into thinking she’s a murderer and a sinner.
Suzanne McFly July 10th, 2014 at 15:32
The right has equated abortions with whores and tramps, these videos will ad faces that are not normally assimilated with abortion. You will see women of every shade and economic background that have had an experience with this decision. People won’t be able to judge others who have abortions so harshly when they realize women they are acquainted with have had them.
Ron Luce July 10th, 2014 at 13:15
I have mixed feelings about this.
Like many pro-choice people, I still find abortion sad.
But, “coming out” has been very effective for removing the stigma of homosexuality. We learned that our aunts, nephews, neighbors, teachers, soldiers, etc are gay and we know they are fine people.
Women who have had abortions (or used birth control!) should not be stigmatized, either. I think most people would be shocked at a how many women, close to them, have had an abortion. Women we like and respect.
Dora Glasberg July 10th, 2014 at 15:22
There is really no need to “come out”
The whole idiotic premise that an abortion equates with a stigma of some kind, is just religious zealot nonsense.
Abortion is a perfectly LEGAL medical procedure.
Dwendt44 July 10th, 2014 at 16:22
Charles is correct. The whole anti-abortion propaganda meme claims that having an abortion will scar a woman and cause deep psychological damage. AND they can trot out an example of said condition to prove it.. As if one weak minded conflicted woman is proof of anything. Never mind that she’s been brow beaten into thinking she’s a murderer and a sinner.
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:22
Wow.
You misunderstand this whole project, and your baseless personal attacks on women you don’t even know are duly noted.
Dora Glasberg July 10th, 2014 at 17:48
I think we need a site
to share our experience
with exploding diarrhea
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:51
Then make one. It will keep you occupied and away from this board.
Dwendt44 July 10th, 2014 at 17:51
And you know that I don’t know women like I mentioned? How so?
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:56
Lucky guess.
It doesn’t make me wrong.
Suzanne McFly July 10th, 2014 at 15:32
The right has equated abortions with whores and tramps, these videos will ad faces that are not normally assimilated with abortion. You will see women of every shade and economic background that have had an experience with this decision. People won’t be able to judge others who have abortions so harshly when they realize women they are acquainted with have had them.
Ron Luce July 10th, 2014 at 13:17
What would be especially helpful is if the wives, mistresses and former-girlfriends of GOP politicians and right wing pastors made these videos.
Ron Luce July 10th, 2014 at 13:17
What would be especially helpful is if the wives, mistresses and former-girlfriends of GOP politicians and right wing pastors made these videos.
uzza July 10th, 2014 at 14:17
http://www.thisismyabortion.com/
uzza July 10th, 2014 at 14:17
http://www.thisismyabortion.com/
Charles Almon July 10th, 2014 at 15:20
What a really stupid isilly silly idea.
Is this som kind of right wing PR thing?
I know DOZENS of women who have terminated unwanted pregnancies.
They no more need “support” than the “victims” of a root canal.
AN abortion for most women is a simple medical procedure, Period.
Suzanne McFly July 10th, 2014 at 15:33
You seem to have a lot of first hand knowledge about abortions Charles, you have a vagina then I assume?
Charles Almon July 10th, 2014 at 15:58
What a stupid stupid response,
The women I know freely share information.
You really are a moron as is Danah.
What jerks.
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:20
Anecdotes, hearsay, and personal attacks are not arguments Charles.
Try again.
Charles Almon July 10th, 2014 at 17:45
troll
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:51
Says the troll.
Charles Almon July 10th, 2014 at 15:58
What a stupid stupid response,
The women I know freely share information.
You really are a moron as is Danah.
What jerks.
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 15:41
Charles, you’re a man. Your opinion on how abortion affects a woman is about as relevant as the opinion of my household pets.
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 15:41
Charles, you’re a man. Your opinion on how abortion affects a woman is about as relevant as the opinion of my household pets.
Dora Glasberg July 10th, 2014 at 15:20
What a really stupid isilly silly idea.
Is this som kind of right wing PR thing?
I know DOZENS of women who have terminated unwanted pregnancies.
They no more need “support” than the “victims” of a root canal.
AN abortion for most women is a simple medical procedure, Period.
Suzanne McFly July 10th, 2014 at 15:33
You seem to have a lot of first hand knowledge about abortions Charles, you have a vagina then I assume?
Dora Glasberg July 10th, 2014 at 15:58
What a stupid stupid response,
The women I know freely share information.
You really are a moron as is Danah.
What jerks.
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:20
Anecdotes, hearsay, and personal attacks are not arguments Charles.
Try again.
Dora Glasberg July 10th, 2014 at 17:45
troll
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 17:51
Says the troll.
danah gaz July 10th, 2014 at 15:41
Charles, you’re a man. Your opinion on how abortion affects a woman is about as relevant as the opinion of my household pets.
Charles Almon July 10th, 2014 at 15:23
Abortion “stories”?
groan.
Dora Glasberg July 10th, 2014 at 15:23
Abortion “stories”?
groan.
Robert Johnston July 10th, 2014 at 16:23
I wish you luck in your project, Emily!
–RKJ
Robert Johnston July 10th, 2014 at 16:23
I wish you luck in your project, Emily!
–RKJ
Robert Johnston July 10th, 2014 at 16:23
I wish you luck in your project, Emily!
–RKJ
Robert Johnston July 10th, 2014 at 16:23
I wish you luck in your project, Emily!
–RKJ
Robert Keith Johnston July 10th, 2014 at 16:23
I wish you luck in your project, Emily!
–RKJ