In Wake of Supreme Court Announcement, New Videos from Planned Parenthood Make the Case for Abortion Access
For Immediate Release: June 9, 2021
“Abortion is normal. Abortion is common. It’s time we treat it that way.”
NEW YORK, NY — As the Supreme Court prepares to hear a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade during a historic number of attacks on abortion access and health care in states across the country, Planned Parenthood today released a new series of videos that illustrate the importance of access to abortion. The new series, available on YouTube, shares the stories of four individuals who made the personal decision to have an abortion.
The four short, powerful videos showcase diverse storytellers speaking openly and honestly, including: Ebony, Alex, Atalie, and Dr. Gupta.
Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
Nearly one in four women in America will have an abortion at some point in her life. Abortion is normal. Abortion is common. It’s time we treat it that way.
“These videos tell people’s moving, heartfelt stories. Politicians who are out of step with public support for abortion may tout abortion restrictions as a victory. But they ignore the harm done to very real people — like those featured in these videos.
“Planned Parenthood is proud to provide safe and legal abortion. We work every day to ensure that patients can make their own decisions about their lives, family and future. If they do decide to have an abortion, they will receive the high-quality, compassionate care they deserve.
The latest Gallup polling shows that 80% of the public supports safe, legal abortion and there is no state where outlawing abortion is popular. Yet over 500 abortion restrictions have been introduced this year, and more than 60 of those have already been passed and signed, according to Guttmacher Institute. The Supreme Court is taking up a major case on Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban this fall — a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade that puts 25 million women of reproductive age at risk of losing abortion access. These attacks on sexual and reproductive health care disproportionately harm many communities of color and people with low incomes, making it more important than ever that people understand what access to a safe, legal abortion means for patients.
Abortion stigma refers to the negative beliefs about people who have, provide, or support abortion. It’s experienced through negative attitudes and behaviors related to abortion, as well as the judgment or shame experienced by people who seek or have abortions, abortion providers, and others involved in abortion care.
Abortion stigma leads to unnecessary restrictions on health care providers and patient access to care, contributes to people delaying or avoiding getting the information and care they need, and prevents people from talking openly and honestly about their abortion experiences. Planned Parenthood is committed to reducing abortion stigma in as many spaces as possible, because we see firsthand the impact of stigma, shame and silence on patients and health care providers.
Sharing the stories of people who have had abortions is a critical part of reducing abortion stigma. These videos build off the work of many organizations, including We Testify, which are dedicated to the leadership and representation of people who’ve had abortions.
As the nation’s leading provider of expert reproductive and sexual health care and sex education, Planned Parenthood is committed to advancing public awareness of safe, legal abortion in the U.S. And we are grateful for the storytellers and their loved ones who shared their experiences in these videos. You can watch all four videos on Planned Parenthood’s YouTube channel.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.