I Wish:

This submission comes from a young woman working at an abortion facility.

I wish:

That the protesters could realize the damage they do to some people and that as much as they say they are doing “God’s work”, that can’t be farther from the truth.

That people were being taught comprehensive sex education in ALL schools. And that families would be open and honest about sex. And that people were not taught shame or guilt about sex.

That birth control was more available and affordable to everyone no matter what their circumstance is. That people wouldn’t have to choose between paying for their pills or something else in life.

That if a person’s birth control method fails, they do NOT think they are stupid or irresponsible. And if they were not using a method, they did not feel shame.

That there were more abortion providers so each patient could have more time spent just on her and that the wait time would not be so long.

That when people think of abortion clinics, they don’t think of a back alley clinic with rusty instruments and unsanitary conditions. That right now (as long as the anti-choice zealots don’t win the battle on choice), an abortion is a safe and legal procedure. One of the safest procedures one can have.

That more time was given to each patient, before and after (if she needed or wanted it). And that women were not embarrassed to talk about it.

That people would realize that women from all walks of life have abortions and that 1 in 3 women will have one or more abortion(s) at some point in their lives.

That abortion doctors would not have to be escorted into the clinics by police officers and would not have to worry about their homes being protested, their families harassed, or their lives threatened.

That people would realize that abortions are one of the cheapest surgeries there is and doctors don’t do it for the money. If they wanted to make as much money as a doctor could make, they would practice some other type of medicine and then they wouldn’t have to worry about their lives being threatened!

That women would trust themselves and not feel ashamed or feel stupid for having an abortion. That they would believe in their choices, and love and respect themselves and their bodies.

intercessorsforchoice@gmail.com

Am I Selfish? Yes. Am I Happy? Yes.

A brave woman shares her story about having an abortion. One in three women will have an abortion within their lifetime.

Am I selfish? Yes. Am I happy? Yes.

In August of 2007, I was hit with the biggest surprise of my life. I was pregnant.

I had always been “somewhat” safe in my sexual escapades—or at least thought I had been. By the eighth month of that year, I had only slept with one person—the person I truly, at the time, thought I would marry. I was very much in love, and I will never deny that fact.

However, he didn’t feel the same. A week after he proclaimed he “couldn’t deny the fact that he didn’t feel the same way about me,” I couldn’t deny the strange feeling in my lower abdomen. While I tend to have rough periods anyway, I was still a week away from my scheduled start date and could tell something was different.

Pushing it aside, I continued with my daily tasks. After graduating over a year prior to then, I had finally landed a job as a reporter at a small weekly publication. Beyond having a broken heart, what I did have was a wonderful group of friends, a great job, I was playing music in a great band and I finally had a dog—something I had waited years to get after leaving mine at home with my parents.

I was pretty devastated about losing him, but I had a lot to live for, and I knew it. However, when the following week came and went without notice of my monthly visitor, I knew what I had to do. And trust me…even though I somehow knew what was happening, I continued to deny that this could ever happen to me.

You know that scene in the movie Juno where she shakes the pregnancy test??? Yep. That’s exactly what I did, and this was pre-Juno. I actually took two. I took one at home. It came out positive. Then, in a somewhat crazed moment, I decided I would drive home to my mother’s three hours north to take another one. Maybe it was something in the water where I was?

Both were Positive.

I had too much pride to call him and tell him. What a good one, I could only imagine his thought of “she’s doing this to get me back,” when obviously was not the case at all. Not even close.

With my test still in hand, I made the call. Not to him. To the abortion provider.

“How far along are you?”

“I think about four weeks.”

“Okay. You cannot wait much longer, so we’ll bring you in this Friday for a counseling session.”

“Okay. It’s a two day process, right?”

“Yes, if you decide to have the procedure done.”

“Okay.”

Decide what? I knew what I was going to do. I didn’t even have one doubt. I was not Ready to be a Mother. I was not making nearly enough Money to raise the child properly, and I had never been one in my life to ask for handouts from anyone—family and government agencies included. And I Definitely was not going to ask Him.

So a week later, I found out I was five weeks pregnant. The people at the clinic were wonderful. The told me everything I needed to know and made sure I knew all my options. I really cannot recall much though…looking back, I don’t remember feeling any regret or remorse. Nothing. I just wanted that part of him out of me. More than anything. And I wanted to live my life for me until I was ready to do otherwise—and I still do.

So, am I selfish? Yes. Yes I am. But I have zero regrets about my decision and no one could ever make me feel different.

I eventually told him. He told me I made the right decision as well. He told me he would have not wanted to bring a child into our both equally messed up lives. People call what I did wrong? I call it responsibility.

To this day, every time I see someone trying to take away a woman’s right to choose, I want to ask him (and trust me, in MOST cases, it’s a him)—“What about me? Do you want to ask me, someone who has been there, how I feel? Do you want to walk in my shoes? Why don’t you ask me how I feel?”

No one does. Because no one wants to know that really, it’s okay to have one, and women get through it.

intercessorsforchoice@gmail.com

I am proud to say I'm pro-choice.

This entry is by Maggie Hope.

I am proud to say I’m pro-choice. The way I see it, this war over women’s bodies has reached ridiculous levels. We drive across state lines, take dangerous home remedies, do serious self-harm… and have to put up with bombings, riots, and worst of all – laws and the elected officials who keep everything as is. What the hell is that?!

I’m twenty-five years old. Since I can remember, I’ve grasped on to stories of the proud warriors of the pro-choice movement. It feels as if they’re family – as if their stories have woven into my own, and I feel as if I can never know them well enough.

I have a few simple bumper stickers on my car: Your silence will not protect you, There is no equality when women feel unsafe, and CHOICE. Choice. I make choices every day… we all do. We make the choice of what to eat for dinner, what kind of toothpaste to buy, whether or not to speed up through that yellow light. If someone else constantly made those choices for me, I’d start to get frustrated. No, I’d get fucking mad. And these are tiny, insignificant parts of life – nothing to do with, for the most part, my personal safety and health…

I’m pro-choice because it’s my body. I’m pro-choice for the young girl, raped by her father, unwilling to carry that violent pregnancy inside of her. I’m pro-choice for the single woman who just doesn’t have the money for another kid right now. I’m pro-choice for the married couple who got the timing all wrong. I’m pro-choice for the lesbian who thought she’d give something new a try. I’m pro-choice for my own brilliant cunt. I’m pro-choice because I’m a woman.

So – write a letter… and remember to send it. Call your representatives once a week – let their administrative assistant send you right to voicemail, because you’re going to keep calling back. Get together with your fellow pro-choice loved ones. Tell each other your stories, cry, yell, and then march together in a pro-choice rally – or start your own! Don’t take any shit. From anyone.

I think there comes a point in a young feminist’s life when they have to make a decision – get angry, or get quiet. Yell or shut the fuck up. Stand in that picket line, protest march, or vigil… or fade back in to the fucking status quo. And in this fight to win back our own bodies, I’m not going to sit here and take it like a fucking fool.

Amen!

intercessorsforchoice@gmail.com

Hillary Clinton Defends Reproductive Health and Rights!

For anyone who needs to be inspired!

intercessorsforchoice@gmail.com

Tired.

This was sent by a woman living in Indiana.

I am tired. I am pretty sure I never let this on.

I don't think anyone knows this. Well here you all go: I am tired. Tired of stupidity. Tired of fighting a losing battle. Tired of people claiming they know what's best for me when they really do not know shit. Tired of people who claim to be above others and DEFINITELY tired of people speaking on behalf of others. Tired of people putting THEIR religion in the forefront when all religions are different. Tired of people dancing around the truth.

And you know what I am the MOST tired of? People being on "my side" or the "other side" (why are there sides in a woman's PERSONAL choice?) worried about saying the wrong things (which would be the right things) because they think it will hurt the outcome. Want to talk about the "dirty A word?" No. Let's talk about abortion, alright? And don't speak for me because YES, I had one, and I am NOT ashamed of it.

There. Let's talk. Let's talk to the people who have been through one.

But no. Continue pushing us aside. We obviously cannot handle speaking about how feel about the choice we made to ever take a stance for ourselves. You don't want to bother with us. Because we can't handle it. Not even a little bit.

I guess...in a nutshell...I'm just asking...in the whole grand scheme of the abortion argument, why does no one ever think to ask us?

intercessorsforchoice@gmail.com

The day American "pro-lifers" agree...

The day American "pro-lifers" agree..

To pay for the welfare and social security costs of every unintended pregnancy that takes place in this country or the day they agree that all women should have access to birth control...

Is the day I will be okay with your existence. If every person out there who is telling the people they do not have a right to Birth Control or a right to choose their future as a parent agrees to pay for the care of that child while that mother finishes her degree or lands a decent job where she can afford to support the baby on her own without government funding, we can talk.

If you disagree with what I stand for, then pay for what lies ahead. And DO NOT complain about your tax dollars, please. This was your CHOICE.

If you want to work to prevent these things from happening, let me know. I don't think that abortion is a wonderful thing by any means. But I don't think that draining an already drained economic system is the way to go either.

You support life?? Then support it from the moment it leaves the womb until the day it dies. Let YOUR tax dollars pay for welfare and health care without complaining. While you're all at it, why don't you advocate for some sort of law that creates socialized insurance for children who have parents who can't afford to take care of them.

I'll even write new policy for you. We can work it out so that your tax payer dollars are paying for these things specifically.

Wake up. Which party in advocating for that kind of law? The DEMOCRATS. But who is working against socialized health care for children? The REPUBLICANS. Do we REALLY want to argue over who is pro-life here?

However...I don't understand why this argument still exists, especially as a political issue. I'm serious. Let's talk.

intercessorsforchoice@gmail.com

Welcome to Intercessors for Choice!

This is a 100% unapologetic pro-choice blog. We are a group of individuals that wanted to create a space for stories from and about people in the pro-choice movement.

This is NOT a blog for the abortion debate (there are plenty out there, so go find one). We exist to share stories of triumph, frustration, fear and joy. And we need YOU to help us.

Here's how it works: if you are pro-choice, work at an abortion clinic, work within the pro-choice movement or want to share your abortion story, e-mail intercessorsforchoice@gmail.com. We will post what you send on our blog. Unless you request otherwise, we will post the name you provide (never first and last).

If you write a threatening e-mail, you waive the right to anonymity and we will post your name in full, along with your ignorant ramblings which will only further illustrate the point of this blog.

Pro-choice is pro-life, pro-woman and pro-child. Let's share our stories.