Greetings,

At Planned Parenthood, we often ask politicians and the public to understand that reproductive health and choice involve more than abortion.  They include birth control and prenatal care and the right and ability to access safe, high quality health care regardless of who you are, whether you are rich or poor. 

So the Planned Parenthood Federation of America's distribution of a t-shirt with "I Had an Abortion" printed on the front has stirred up some controversy.  I'd like to offer a few thoughts on the matter. 

Thanks to anti-choice efforts, the subject of abortion is increasingly off limits, whether in the real life situations taken up by popular entertainment media or at the kitchen table.  The "I Had an Abortion" t-shirt is intended to challenge the taboo that cloaks abortion in silence.  The t-shirt is an affirmation that abortion is not shameful.  It enables women who choose to wear the t-shirt to take ownership of their lives and their decisions. 

The "I Had an Abortion" t-shirt was conceived by Jennifer Baumgardner, a 33 year-old New York writer who has decided to recast the anniversary of the abortion-legalizing Roe v Wade Supreme Court decision as "I'm Not Sorry Day." In addition to the t-shirt, Baumgardner's initiative will include a documentary film depicting women sharing their abortion stories.  If you would like to read more about Baumgardner, click here. 

If every woman who had an abortion stood up for her right to make that decision, and then all the family and friends who loved those women stood up for the right to choose -- then our opposition wouldn't stand a chance.  These shirts help remind people that women they know, love, and respect have made the difficult decision to end a pregnancy. 

Despite advances in and access to birth control, about half of all pregnancies are still unintended.  Over one million women have abortions every year in America, some 10,500 of them here in Louisiana.  Each choice is equally relevant and legitimate to the woman concerned at the time she is confronted with her pregnancy. 

Not every one of the millions of American women who've chosen abortion will wear an "I Had an Abortion" t-shirt.  But the ones who do will send a powerful message that they will not live in silence and shame.  We at Planned Parenthood applaud their honesty and courage. 

Thank you for your concern and consideration.

Julie Redman, President & CEO

If you would like to order an "I Had an Abortion" t-shirt, click here.