MetaFilter posts tagged with abortion

Fun STD Facts

pick_the_flowers — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:49:30 -0800

More than two dozen bacterial, viral or parasitic infections are known to be transmitted largely or exclusively through sexual contact. U.S. public health authorities focus on a limited set of these STIs. Read more about it in "Facts on Sexually Transmitted Infections in the United States" published by the Guttmacher Institute. Guttmacher Institute has also published the following recent reports on the state of abortion that are quite interesting: Abortion Worldwide: A decade of uneven progress (a 68 page pdf document) Unsafe Abortion Costs the Developing World Hundreds of Millions of Dollars Each Year Recession has dramatically reshaped women's childbearing desires

Sen. Lamb is confident that the bill will be upheld, calling it "common-sense legislation"

cereselle — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:31:08 -0800

On May 21, 2009, Oklahoma's governor signed the Statistical Reporting of Abortion Act (pdf). The act requires, as a condition of having the procedure done, that each woman fill out an "Individual Abortion Form" containing personal details, including age, county where abortion was performed, race, marital status, years of education, state of residence, number and result of previous pregnancies, and the reason for the abortion. This is not Oklahoma's first attempt to curb abortion rights. In 2008, an omnibus abortion bill required women seeking abortions to have an ultrasound, view it, and listen to a description of its attributes. Passed over the governor's veto, it was struck down last August on the grounds that it violated the Oklahoma state constitution, which requires that bills deal with only one subject. No ruling was given on substantive grounds. It looks like challenges to the current law will be made on the same grounds. The Individual Abortion Forms will be posted on the Oklahoma State Health Department website.

They even pay postage.

fontophilic — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:20:00 -0800

Notary fee: $3; County Clerk Recording Fee: $16; Protecting your land from abortionists forever? That'll cost ya $77. Pro Life Properties of Texas, LLC uses deed restrictions to "stop abortion forever, one property at a time." Its founder, Ron Bryce M.D., is a failed small town politician whom has been using a story of a failed abortion 20 years ago to wrench hearts and sway minds to the pro-life agenda.

Obvious Child

pick_the_flowers — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 13:02:19 -0800

Why deny the obvious(,) child? Short film. Romantic Comedy. Paul Simon. Abortion.

The Last Abortion Doctor

SkylitDrawl — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:06:07 -0800

For thirty-six years, Warren Hern has been one of the few doctors in America to specialize in late abortions. George Tiller was another. And when Dr. Tiller was murdered that Sunday in church, Warren Hern became the only one left.

contraception riles up pro life NRLC

garlic — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 10:57:49 -0800

William Saletan has been writing about abortion for a while. In Slate he recently discussed the Preventing Unintended Pregnancies, Reducing the Need for Abortion, and Supporting Parents Act, and some hard line pro-life groups resistance to this bill. Doug Johnson, the National Right to Life Commitee's legislative director responds stating that the bill is a "prop in a political charade" to "provide camouflage for pro-abortion politicians". Saletan tears holes in Johnson's stated objections, calling out the NRLF's unstated objection to contraception.

The complex feelings of many women who've had abortions

cybercoitus interruptus — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:55:05 -0800

"Every day I talk to people who have always been against abortion, . . . who are having an abortion. Or I talk to people who are pro-choice, [yet are] freaked out by [having an abortion]." Many women you know [have had an abortion]. Odds are, they never said a word about it to you. "We need to discuss the complex feelings of women who've had abortions." While many women experience only relief after an abortion, others may grieve for the lost pregnancy."Why flatten the decisions around abortion to just abortion?" But by talking about women's emotions around abortion, aren't you actually feeding that ["abortion hurts [most] women"] strategy [of] the right? American Psychiatric Association (APA): We must distinguish illnesses from feelings. Spiritual and Emotional Health: [A woman] needs to know there are friends, family, and/or clergy who do not judge her, who will listen to her feelings without interpreting them, and who will give her encouragement to plan her future. I know I/we made the right choice in having an abortion, [but] is there something that I or we can do to acknowledge that this would have been a child? Nonjudgmental Resources in the US: Pregnancy Options Workbook: The people who put together this book support you no matter what you choose. We have tried to give you a realistic picture of all the choices you can make--abortion, adoption, and being a parent. You will find exercises to help you make the best decision for you [including spiritual and religious concerns about abortion, and post-abortion healing rituals]. Before and after an abortion Backline: Offers unbiased and medically-accurate information to our callers, and our Talk Line Advocates remain politically neutral when speaking with callers. After an abortion Read, write, or send messages from your heart to another heart about your abortion experience at Heartssite.com. Exhale Talkline: We believe that after an abortion, whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, you deserve to have your own unique experience seen and heard, and to get what you need for your long-term emotional well-being. This is the"pro-voice" message. Previously 1, 2, 3.

"Pro Life" does not mean what you think it does

mkultra — Sun, 31 May 2009 10:40:45 -0800

George Tiller, whose Wichita, KS clinic specializes in late-term abortions, was shot to death this morning on his way to church. Tiller was previously shot and wounded in 1995. (previously on MeFi)

Witness to a womb

dejah420 — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:09:57 -0800

Sixteen states already have laws [PDF] related to abortion ultrasounds . Eleven more states have recently introduced bills that demand that a woman who wants an abortion be forced to look at the ultrasound, while a doctor describes what she is seeing. All of these bills are because the legislators believe that adoption is the only choice a woman should make. This essay, On Living Pro-Lifer's Choice for Women, explores the difficulties faced by birth mothers who choose that path.

Body Laws

FunkyHelix — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:41:13 -0800

North Dakota's House of Reps has passed a bill granting personhood to fetuses, making abortion murder and creating a challenge to Roe vs. Wade.

HHS "PROVIDER CONSCIENCE": Bush Legacy

terranova — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:54:04 -0800

On January 20, the HHS "Provider Conscience Rule" went into effect, allowing employees and volunteers at government-funded hospitals and clinics to deny patients access to a variety of medical services, based on moral objection. The Rule is one of the Bush Administration's parting midnight regulations. Ostensibly focusing on abortion and sterilization, it is considered by some to be written so vaguely that it might be applied to "contraception, fertility treatments, HIV/AIDS services, gender reassignment, end-of-life care, or any other medical practice to which someone might have a personal moral (not even religious) objection.” The Attorney General's Office of Connecticut, joined by seven states, has filed a lawsuit to quash the regulation. Some background about HHS' Provider Conscience Regulation.

Hot Glazed Roe Nuts.

ericbop — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 08:42:28 -0800

Anti-choice group up in arms over Krispy Kreme's "abortion doughnuts" [sic] and [blech]. At least they're not supporting terrorists.

In related news, other giveaways on Inauguration Day include free waffles in Portland, free coffee (Oren's "Beans You Can Believe IN") in Manhattan, and a free Berry Obama frozen yogurt in Chicago. A scoop of Ben & Jerry's Yes Pecan will still cost you full price.

Internet premier of Princess of Nebraska on YouTube

skynxnex — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 09:07:31 -0800

The Princess of Nebraska premiered on YouTube this weekend (unrated by MPAA, but 18A+ rating, but on YouTube, so maybe mild NSFW). Often focusing on Chinese immigrants in America and culture gaps (NPR interview; text and audio) between both their new country and across generations, director Wayne Wang has returned to his roots after several more traditional Hollywood movies (Wayne Wang Is Missing). (Known for "Chan Is Missing" and "The Joy Luck Club", he has made movies such as "Maid in Manhattan" recently.) "Princess" is intended as a double feature with traditionally released "A Thousand Years of Good Prayers," "Princess" might "be the first feature feature film by a major director to premiere" only on the internet. Both are based on short stories by Yiyun Li.

Down Syndrome Testing

Brian B. — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:31:04 -0800

All pregnancies are now recommended to be screened for Down Syndrome. 90% of those tested positive have opted for an abortion, while some in support groups discourage this to avoid becoming a vanishing minority with less funding. Now that campaign promises are being made to those with special needs, while vowing to outlaw abortion, a parent or voter might want to know more details. The costs used in this analysis were $146 for first-trimester screening, $66 for the second-trimester Triple Screen, and $86 for a second-trimester Quad Screen. A consultation with a genetic counselor is estimated at $68, and if a diagnostic procedure is also done, the total cost is $1,308. Terminations of pregnancy done in the first and second trimester are $648 and $1,146, respectively. The societal cost of raising and caring for an individual with Down syndrome is $762,748. Previously on Metafilter.

Juno no no

Rumple — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:17:11 -0800

What to Expect When You're Aborting: I'm 23. I'm knocked up. And I don't want to keep it. You can fuck yourself, Judd Apatow.

Will no one think of the zygotes?

Kraftmatic Adjustable Cheese — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 00:16:23 -0800

Millions of women have had abortions and didn't even know it.

Melt it down and make it into a coat hanger.

illiad — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:16:44 -0800

Canada allows for legal abortions, thanks to Dr. Henry Morgentaler, who yesterday received the Order of Canada. He was instrumental in the fight against the abortion provision in the Criminal Code of Canada; the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that said provision was unconstitutional, as it violated a woman's right under section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to "security of person." Morgantaler served time in prison for his trouble but was eventually acquitted. That he received the Order of Canada has of course enraged anti-abortion groups, and has deeply annoyed some pundits.

Before Roe vs. Wade.

kldickson — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:46:15 -0800

"There are few physicians today who can relate to the 'bad old days' before Roe vs. Wade. I can." A doctor who has seen the days before abortion was legalized relates his experiences and reminds us why abortion must remain safe and legal.

Abortion as Art

GuyZero — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:41:29 -0800

Abortion as Art To quote: "she artificially inseminated herself “as often as possible” while periodically taking abortifacient drugs to induce miscarriages. Her exhibition will feature video recordings of these forced miscarriages as well as preserved collections of the blood from the process."

Caution or deception?

nax — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:24:44 -0800

A Planned Parenthood health center opened its doors to patients [in October], two weeks later than planned, after anti-abortion activists raised questions about how it received its building permits. Planned Parenthood is claiming victory, but :prolife/antiabortion: activitists are still smarting. But is the Aurora clinic just about abortions, or is it filling an unmet need in one of the largest population centers in Illinois? Illinois is ground zero for :prolife/antiabortion: activism

Majerus v Burke

ozomatli — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:57:08 -0800

Rick Majerus has always been a bit controversial, but this has been a bad month. The details of the lawsuit mentioned in the article are here

Mizuko Kuyo

agregoli — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 12:51:11 -0800

Mizuko Kuyo, meaning "water-child memorial service" is a memorial service held by or for those who have experienced a miscarriage, stillbirth or abortion, and has become widespread in Japan since the 1970's. (Wikipedia definition). Peggy Orenstein relates her experience with miscarriage and this ritual in Mourning My Miscarriage - In Japan, I Find a Culture Willing to Acknowledge My Loss. Additional links of interest: Rethinking the Practice of Mizuko Kuyo in Contemporary Japan Abortion in Buddhism

I Am Emily X

mewithoutyou — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 19:27:45 -0800

I Am Emily X is "the true-life diary of a frontline Planned Parenthood worker and activist", created in response to the 40 Days for Life Campaign. "*For their safety and protection, Emily X represents a small handful of Planned Parenthood workers and activists, who may or may not be named Emily."

You wouldn't think that this would be such a hard question.

Pope Guilty — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 17:30:37 -0800

If abortion is outlawed, what should be the penalty for mothers who get abortions? Let's ask some anti-abortion protestors.

HelpMyBabyLive.com- There are no words

ThePinkSuperhero — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 08:55:32 -0800

HelpMyBabyLive.com It comes down to this. If we can't raise the $50,000 in the next 3 months, we'll have to choose abortion. And you thought Save Karyn was bad. Via