"Shout Your Abortion," a social media campaign started by three U.S. activists concerned about Republican efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, has gone viral as women continue to pick up the cause and share their experiences, despite attempts from pro-life campaigners to impede it.
Trending under the hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion, the campaign was started over the weekend after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, in light of allegations of the organization selling fetal tissue obtained from abortions for profit, according to Fox's Denver affiliate Fox31.
The creators of the campaign: Lindy West, Amelia Bonow and Kimberly Morrison said they began the campaign in a bid to encourage women to reclaim the conversation about abortion.
Bonow shared her own story Saturday on Facebook with the hashtag, reported CNN. Since then, many have taken up the cause and have shared their own stories.
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
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
However, others who believe that abortion is equivalent to murder have spoken out and denounced the campaign, according to Yahoo! News.
Abortion does not make you unpregnant. It makes you the parent of a dead child. #ShoutYourAbortion — Amy Mek (@AmyMek) September 22, 2015
Instead of using the hashtag #ShoutYourAbortion why not drop the PC language and say #IKilledMyBabyAndImProudOfIt — Alyssa Lafage (@AlyssaLafage) September 22, 2015
Representing a third point of view, one user felt that someone's stance on the matter is irrelevant and asserted that the discussion has become too public. "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," wrote Twitter user comcatholicgirl.
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
However, West notes that's the entire point of the movement: to make the discussion public and have women's voices be heard. "You never have to feel ashamed of your personal medical decisions," she tweeted. "You can speak about them at full volume."
you never have to feel ashamed of your personal medical decisions. you can speak about them at full volume. @NumberUnoMami @Texican_Miguel — Lindy West (@thelindywest) September 22, 2015
