I was 14. I was raped. I became pregnant. I had an abortion.

[senz]

180. I'm so sorry you went through this.

The shame and stigma remain, thanks to nonstop efforts on the part of religious fundamentalists and other misogynists.

My abortion happened prior to Roe v. Wade, so there wasn't so any organized anti-woman noise around the issue, although there were some distinct unpleasantries that I don't want to discuss here.

As someone who was very poor and alone for periods of time while young, I can relate to hitchhiking, taking buses, even staying up all night in a bus station because there's nowhere else to sleep. All of that is hard and makes for harsh memories. But to go by oneself for a medical procedure and then be alone while hemorrhaging and needing help is horrendous, and it speaks clearly to what rightwing attitudes can do to women. It's also amazing to learn what we can do when we have to. You're a very good person, as well as strong and brave, and I wish could travel back in time and take you to your appointment and make sure that you were okay afterward or got the help you needed.

I've long suspected that misogynists are antichoice because they know how desperate women can be when faced with an unwanted pregnancy and they enjoy the knowledge.