Please Don't Regulate My Body
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Politics and Activism

Please Don't Regulate My Body

An open letter to Planned Parenthood opponents.

Elena Kalodner-Martin
Dec 14, 2015
Towson University
12
Please Don't Regulate My Body

Dear Opponents of Planned Parenthood (And All Others Who Want to Regulate Others),

Please don't regulate my body. Please don't even try to regulate my body.

Why? Because it's not yours to regulate. It's that simple.

I have the right to seek care for my own body. I insist that I have the option to take advantage of an organization that screens for ovarian, breast, and other cancers. I demand that I am allowed to consult someone over choices for contraception when condoms are sold in every grocery and convenient store in America and the rights of men are consistently defended.

And furthermore, I deserve to seek an abortion from a safe and supportive environment, if that is what I decide that I want and need.

When it comes to Planned Parenthood, here are a couple facts to keep in mind:

1. Only three percent of their services are abortion.

2. The Hyde Amendment prevents federal funding of abortions, except in extreme cases.

3. Planned Parenthood protects millions of women, families, and children.

4. Planned Parenthood is an important and valuable medical resource and it is wrong to deny people these services.

I'll say it again for the people in the back: Planned Parenthood is an important and valuable medical resource and it is wrong to deny people these services.

And when it comes to my body and my health, your political views, religious beliefs, upbringing, race, gender, culture and sexual identity have nothing to do with it. You cannot imagine how frustrating it is for me to hear that people debate over someone's rights to their own body, and that people have voted to try take away the rights of millions of women. What I do with my body? Thanks for your concern, but it's none of your business.

You know who should be making decisions about your own body? You. That's it. People who oppose Planned Parenthood and want to restrict women's sexual and reproductive health: this is not over. Everybody is free to choose what is best for them and I will loudly demand my rights.

Sincerely,

A Woman Who Knows the Rights to Her Own Body


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