Chipping Away at Roe

[Content Note: Anti-choice legislation.]

In totally unrelated news to the post below (she said acerbically), the Guttmacher Institute has reported to no one's surprise that states enacted a record number of abortion restrictions last year.

In the 50 states combined, legislators introduced more than 1,100 reproductive health and rights-related provisions, a sharp increase from the 950 introduced in 2010. By year's end, 135 of these provisions had been enacted in 36 states, an increase from the 89 enacted in 2010 and the 77 enacted in 2009.

...Fully 68% of these new provisions—92 in 24 states—-restrict access to abortion services, a striking increase from last year, when 26% of new provisions restricted abortion. The 92 new abortion restrictions enacted in 2011 shattered the previous record of 34 adopted in 2005.

I know, believe me I know, that I am a broken record, but restricting abortion consigns women and trans men to use their bodies to carry pregnancies to term against their wills, which is an act of violence.

The anti-choice movement has gained momentum with the unilateral support of the Republican Party, turning what was once a radical fringe movement into nothing less than state-sponsored terrorism, in defense of an inherently violent ideology.

This issue must be a centerpiece of President Obama's campaign, or he is going to have to win without me. I will never hope that he does not resoundingly trounce whatever Mitt Romney eventually wins the primary and runs as the Republican nominee. Between President Obama and a Republican, I want Obama to win. But I will not be able in good conscience to actively and affirmatively support a candidate who does not meaningfully address a domestic terrorist campaign being waged against pro-choice women and our allies.

That is asking me to participate in my own marginalization, to support a threat against my own safety. And that I simply cannot do.

Please, Mr. President. Speak up for us.