A Letter from a Former Pro-Lifer

Hey Babes!

I grew up fully embracing the Catholic religion. I attended Catholic grade school, my mom was a Catholic school teacher and I even had a prayer table in my bedroom. When I was in second grade, I earned a 99 on a religion test and cried myself to sleep because I thought that I could no longer be a nun. In sixth grade, I received the religion award for having the highest average in that subject for my grade. When I learned about abortion, I was in 7th grade, probably around 12 years old.

When I was 12 years old, I loved the Jonas Brothers, wanted to be a Disney Channel star and exclusively wore blue and white striped tank tops from Hollister Co. I didn’t really know anything about sex, but I was told at school that it was meant only for marriage, that birth control would make you infertile and that it was harder for boys to stop once they got going. I was handed a sticker that said, “I’m worth waiting for” and I accepted all of that information I was given as fact. I mean, I was even instructed to go home and thank my mom for not aborting me, thank her for choosing to let me survive the genocide.

In tenth grade for an opposing viewpoints debate, I was given the task of arguing for Pro-Life. I deep dived into horror stories and was completely and utterly appalled. I planted my feet firmly on the Pro-Life side of the argument, because I didn’t believe that anyone should have the authority to play God, choosing who gets to live and who doesn’t.

When abortion was brought up in my AP Government class during my senior year of high school, I would have a visceral reaction. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, my face would flush and I would bite my tongue to stay out of the heated debate. I was Pro-Life, Pro Gay Marriage and anti-guns. I channeled my inner Quaker, advocating for peace, love and life. How INFP of me.

Why did my viewpoint change? Because, as I matured, experienced life, and went further into my undergraduate education, I decided that it wasn’t any of my business, what someone did with their body. Their body, their choice. My body, my choice. To be clear, I’m not pro-abortion. I’m pro-choice, as in every woman should feel safe knowing that she has options, that she has the choice to do what she wants with her body and her life. That she has freedom. I’m pro woman and I’d argue that most people that label themselves as Pro Choice feel the same way that I do.

For me, it’s not about killing fetuses or using abortion as the preferred method of contraception, it’s about letting someone decide what they want to do with their body. Because, don’t we all have free will? Aren’t we entitled to autonomy over our own bodies?

I firmly believe that this subject has to be approached with less judgement and more understanding. Growing up with a provincial viewpoint did dictate how I felt about this topic when I was younger. College expanded my point of view on a myriad of hot topics. I now wholeheartedly believe that when deciding where you stand on controversial issues, it is imperative to take other people’s circumstances into consideration. Think outside of yourself and your privilege. Aren’t we supposed to love thy neighbor and not judge thy neighbor? I’m grateful that my parents let me decide how I wanted to feel on controversial topics and they gave me the space to figure out my own relationship with religion and all that, that entails.

Why am I writing about this, now? Because it needs to be said. I’m pro-choice, pro woman, pro mind your business, because it’s not your right to tell someone else how they should live their life. That’s not my place, that’s not your place and that’s sure as fuck not our government’s place.

xoxo,

Kelly