Tens of thousands of social media users have taken to Twitter to share their experiences of abortion and counteract the stigma surrounding the medical procedure.
Campaigners Lindy West, Amelia Bonow and Kimberly Morrison started the hasttag “#ShoutYourAbortion” on Twitter on Friday.
The phrase exploded over the weekend around the world, trending across the US, Australia and Europe. More than 60,000 women explained their decision to get an abortion.
My abortion was in 2008. It saved my life and allowed me to escape an abusive, emotionally and physically violent man. #ShoutYourAbortion
— hi, is this meagan? (@mgnwrites) September 21, 2015
#ShoutYourAbortion #StandWithPP I've had 3 abortions and have held onto shame since I was 14. I am 43 now. My shame and silence ends today.
— Rosa A. Clemente (@rosaclemente) September 21, 2015
I've never wanted to have children, so I had an abortion. I'm thriving, without guilt, without shame, without apologies. #ShoutYourAbortion
— favianna rodriguez (@favianna) September 21, 2015
#ShoutYourAbortion In 1988 a late-term abortion got a teenage me back on track for college, career, & motherhood. pic.twitter.com/xdoTFoDJ7D
— Ruby Sinreich (@Ruby) September 21, 2015
I've had 2 abortions. I don't have to justify or explain them to anybody. My life is more valuable than a potential life. #shoutyourabortion
— Clementine Ford (@clementine_ford) September 21, 2015
18 & broke + pregnant = bad. Abortion + 3yrs later + married + stable job = a great life for my baby. #ShoutYourAbortion
— Sophia (@SophiaSkySays) September 21, 2015
My wife and I had an abortion when she was in college. 15 years later we're still together w/ 2 beautiful sons #NoRegret #ShoutYourAbortion
— J.K. Callaway (@jkCallawayYAY) September 21, 2015
My abortion was in '10 & the career I've built since then fulfills me & makes me better able to care for kids I have now. #ShoutYourAbortion
— Lindy West (@thelindywest) September 20, 2015
The campaigners were motivated to start the campaign after the US House of Representatives controversially voted to remove federal funding for Planned Parenthood (an American medical institution dispensing free contraceptive advice).
Ms Bonow told Buzzfeed she first posted on Facebook about her experience of receiving an abortion “on a whim” but also in order to “vocally align myself with Planned Parenthood”.
Hi guys! Like a year ago I had an abortion at the Planned Parenthood on Madison Ave, and I remember this experience with...
Posted by Amelia Bonow on Saturday, September 19, 2015
The Facebook group has attracted more than 3,000 likes so far but as the hasttag took off, many anti-abortion and pro-life supporters attempted to derail the tag, with many social media users condemning the women for their tweets and posts.
They can't shout their abortion because you killed them. #ShoutYourAbortion
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) September 22, 2015
All of humanity past and present looks upon what has become of modern feminism and shakes its head in disgust & disbelief #shoutyourabortion
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) September 22, 2015
Destroying Sea Turtle eggs: Felony
Destroying Eagle eggs: Felony
Destroying a Fetus(Human): Get high fives on Twitter
#ShoutYourAbortion
— Leah the Boss (@LeahRBoss) September 22, 2015
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.
— Common Catholic Girl (@comcatholicgrl) September 22, 2015
