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Posted In: Abortion, Motherhood

My Reproductive Justice Story

I was in the bathroom at home and I held my tears back biting into a towel hoping no one would hear me. I stared down at the pregnancy test and it read positive. I was 16 years old. I got a cold chill down my spine thinking my family was going to disown me. I was terrified. I immediately had horrible thoughts of ending my life because I felt like that was my only option to escape this bad dream. Coming from an extremely verbally sometimes physically and emotionally abusive family I was just so scared. I didn’t know who to turn to. I found myself at my aunt’s house sobbing and asking her for help. She was able to take me to a local planned parenthood and I was given options. I felt like abortion was truly the way to go, but because of my family’s religious beliefs I didn’t have the courage to go through with it so I decided to keep my baby. I told my then boyfriend my decision and he flipped out yelling saying he didn’t want anything to do with me or the baby so I knew I was on my own. He was also verbally and emotionally abusive to me which made things even harder. Several weeks went by and I was still walking on eggshells making sure I was hiding myself from my parents. And one day I got home to a father who was so full of rage I really thought at that moment my life was over. I see my aunt crying on the couch telling me she was sorry and that she had confessed to my parents everything that was going on, she was apologizing to me for breaking our confidentiality, but she didn’t want to see me depressed and emotionally unstable anymore so she told my parents. We drove to my then boyfriend’s house and my parents and his parents had a discussion and they came to the conclusion of marrying us. I completely refused.

The morning after that nightmare my mother was extremely upset due to my refusal and demanded that I get an abortion. I was in disbelief. I told her I wasn’t willing to go through with it because I realized the only thing keeping me in one piece was this beautiful child growing inside me. Things really took a turn for the worst because after I said that she began dragging me into her car by  my hair and forcing me to the clinic. I really couldn’t believe the way she was acting it was as if she didn’t know what else to do. Once we got to the clinic and we sat there in silence. My name was finally called and I got up with hesitation, I looked back at her and I remember feeling so much anger. I remember sitting in the office chair so scared not even listening to the process everything felt like a bad dream, but after swallowing those pills I felt relief. Feeling that relief made me feel horrible. I immediately broke down in tears I felt guilty and I felt ashamed. When we walked out of the car we drove home in  complete silence. The following day my mother began to tell me that this was something I needed to do and I had to simply get over it and suck it up and be strong. I looked at her in disgust and I was angry with her for a very long time. Not until I became an adult was when I realized that what she did was her way of saving me, although the way she went about it was 100% wrong, I began to realize what her intentions truly were. After all she was a young teenage mother and knew how hard a life with a baby would be. In her own way she was trying to protect me from the life she lived, but although I knew what she was trying to do my heart truly didn’t want to do it, but the quality of my environment showed me I had to do it. The nights after the abortion are the nights I will never forget, the pain and the heartbreak was so hard to deal with on my own. I saw the pieces of my child go down the drain literally and I had no one to talk to. I felt so alone. I wanted someone to talk to, but no one was there. I was a resilient 16 year old who had suffered through sexual abuse, physical abuse, and emotional abuse as a child so I was so used to dealing with everything on my own so after that horrific shower I put that moment in the back of my memory bank and tried my best to move on. I know it sounds sad, but in many ways these hard moments in my life made me the person I am today and I finally after many years really love myself and truly have incorporated my pain into something positive. What I would want for all the women reading this to grasp from my story is empowerment.

The reason I share my story is because I want all my Latina sisters to know that this does not have to be your story. I choose to tell my story so that you know you’re not alone. There are services out there to help you. The reason I chose to share my story was because I want to help other young girls especially my Latina sisters. We are so stereotyped and judged every day, but we are strong and because of our culture and the oppression women have to face in our culture we have gone through things that make us hurt, that make us feel weak , but we are not. And I want to let all young Latinas know that if you don’t want children you have the right to that choice because it is your own body, and like I mentioned in my story that my abortion decision was indeed influenced and almost forced upon me by my mother, but in the long run my mother was, in her own way empowering me. The boyfriend I had was abusive physically and emotionally and she saw that a future with him was toxic so she did that to save me from myself. So in a way I am sharing my story because I want to empower young girls to do what they feel is right for them. I want all my sisters to stay safe and if you do come across a situation like mine sit down and really think about what you want to do, not what your boyfriend wants to do, or what your family wants you to do. This is your body this is your life you have full control.

Sharing my story with others is really something very hard for me. I always wanted to keep it hidden away I never wanted it to resurface but things change and I grew and I accepted what happened and turned a bad situation into a good one and my goal in life is to help others which makes it easier to share. I think if more women shared their stories they would help empower other young girls and women. If more women shared their story than abortion wouldn’t be so taboo and there would probably be less shame. Just those two reason are why women choose not to share their stories because they feel they will be judged and they are absolutely right especially Latina/Mexican women because we have religion breathing down our necks and it is looked at as shameful and bad. So it makes it hard for us to come forward with our story which is really a shame. We should be proud of who we are and the strong women we have become. Having an abortion does not define your life, you define your life. You have the power, you matter!

Although I was not personally affected by any restricting abortion laws I need to let others know that there needs to be accessible abortion clinics in our communities because there are so many women who can’t afford to have children. First off, we don’t get paid enough especially as Latina women we actually get paid the least at around 54% of the dollar so how are we supposed to support our children. Second, because if we do not have clinics and abortion services available to us some women could possibly take it into their own hands and could get really hurt. Third, Domestic Violence which usually first happens after the woman gets pregnant leaving the women clueless that their partner was like this in the first place, and Fourth some women are forced to stay home and have children which is a type of abuse. People can easily say “well then don’t have sex” but reality is that is not how things happen. In most cases pregnancy is an accident, or women get raped, or women are not receiving the right sex education there are so many different variables, so abortion clinics need to be available for these women who need them.

I really hope my story reaches you all and remember you are not alone. I stand in solidarity with you all. Thank you for reading.

Sincerely, Tu Hermana

- Anonymous
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Today on Indigenous Peoples Day we call on non-Bla Today on Indigenous Peoples Day we call on non-Black and non-Indigenous Latinos/es to commit to actively dismantling deep rooted colonial legacies of anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism and oppression. We call for all non-Black and non-Indigenous Latino/e policymakers to end complicity in upholding white supremacy and inciting hatred towards Black and Indigenous communities. It is time for Latino/e policymakers to be held accountable, take responsibility, and to actively work to dismantle systems of oppression.

As a Latina/e led Reproductive Justice organization based in Los Angeles we are enraged and disgusted by the racist conversation between Los Angeles Latino City Council members Nury Martínez, Gil Cedillo, Kevin de León and Los Angeles County Federation of Labor President Ron Herrera. Their words clearly show their anti-Indigeneous and anti-Black racism and disdain for working class and poor people. As a Latina/e led Reproductive Justice organization based in Los Angeles we call for the immediate resignation of all the aforementioned Latino leaders. This is not the kind of leadership our city nor our communities want, need, or deserve.

As a Reproductive Justice organization committed to centering the experiences of those most impacted by structural oppression, we re-commit to addressing, centering, and fighting anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism in our communities and to reckon with our own complicity in the continued harm and erasure of Black and Indigenous communities. We must do better.

See link in our bio for full statement on “LA CITY COUNCIL: ANTI-BLACK & ANTI-INDIGENOUS RACISM IN THE LATINO/E COMMUNITY”

#ReproJustice #ThisIsRJ #indigenouspeoplesday
This week is #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek 🦋 Our This week is #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek 🦋 

Our ability to access quality healthcare, stable housing, food security, and safe, non-carceral mental and physical healthcare services all directly impact the mental health and wellbeing of our communities. Our collective freedom and survival rests not only on our ability to practice care for ourselves and each other, but also on our willingness to fight for a future where everyone can easily access all of the resources they need to live full and dignified lives.
 
Reproductive Justice means working to end the stigma around mental health and breaking down barriers to access to the care we need. 🌻
 
🎨: @Nerdybrownkid 

#ThisIsRJ #ReproJustice #MentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters

[ID: on an off-white background, there is an illustration of a large butterfly made up of community members embracing one another and green text surrounding the butterfly that says, "We are each other's wings"]
Help protect the #LGBTQIA+ community from discrimi Help protect the #LGBTQIA+ community from discrimination in healthcare by telling the Biden Administration why section 1557 is important to you.

The Biden-Harris Administration recently proposed a new rule to implement section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act – draft regulations that will protect all #LGBTQIA+ people from discrimination in healthcare. Now we need YOUR HELP to get these important changes implemented. 

Visit www.nclrights.org/1557 to find out more about how you can support LGBTQIA+ access to safe, quality healthcare free from discrimination and submit your comment in support of strengthening protections for the LGBTQIA+ community TODAY!
 
Ensuring that everyone has access to quality healthcare free from barriers, stigma, and discrimination is Reproductive Justice! 

#ThisisRJ #ReproJustice #1557 #CALeg #ProtectLGBTQHealth 

[ID: On a gray background, bold white text with pink borders says, "Share your story & Tell the Biden Admin why we need Healthcare free from discrimination. visit www.nclrights.org/1557]
California is accepting applications to compensate California is accepting applications to compensate survivors of state-sanctioned forced sterilizations! 📣

Eligibility WILL NOT impact your Medi-Cal, Social Security, Food Assistance, or other state or federal benefits. Compensation will NOT be considered community property, child support, restitution, or judgment money. Applying for compensation is completely confidential.

Visit victims.ca.gov/fiscp or the link in our bio for more information. #ReproJustice #EndEugenicsLegacy

This program is an important step for California in confronting its shameful history and taking a bold stand against the racist, sexist, and ableist practices that perpetuate health inequities to this day. The CA FISCP was co-sponsored by Back to the Basics Community Empowerment (B2B), California Coalition for Women Prisoners (CCWP), California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ), and the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF) in collaboration with the Belly of the Beast filmmakers and team.
Today, September 28 is #InternationalSafeAbortionD Today, September 28 is #InternationalSafeAbortionDay! ✨ 

This Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion has its origin in Latin America and the Caribbean where organizers have been mobilizing around September 28 since the 1990s to demand their governments to decriminalize abortion, to provide access to safe and affordable abortion services, and to end stigma and discrimination towards people who choose to have an abortion. 

Removing unnecessary policy and societal barriers to safe abortion protects people’s lives, health, and human rights by allowing people to access timely, life-saving care. Abortion is essential, normal, and common healthcare and access to safe, legal, and stigma-free abortion care should be available for all who need it! 

Today and everyday, we stand in solidarity and acompañamiento with people across the globe fighting for our right to bodily autonomy. Take action this #SafeAbortionDay and speak out for access to safe and legal abortions by:
💚 Share accurate resources for those seeking abortion care. If you need an abortion visit @ineedanacom. For confidential, free legal advice, check out @reprolegaldefensefund @ifwhenhow. 
💚 Identify, question, confront and reject the multiple stigmatizing ideas and messages about abortion that we learned growing up in repressive anti-choice societies. 
💚  Protect your digital privacy and combat the spread of misinformation! Check out https://digitaldefensefund.org/ddf-guides/abortion-privacy to learn more about  digital security surrounding abortion.

Dismantling negative stigmas and misinformation surrounding abortion and demanding safe, accessible, and legal abortion access worldwide IS Reproductive Justice!

#28S #SeráLey #ReproJustice #AbortionJustice #28Sept

[ID: On a turquoise background, there is an illustration of a Black person with long wavy black hair wearing a purple long sleeve shirt and holding a lavender sign that says, "September 28 International Safe Abortion Day"]
🚨 BREAKING: POLICY UPDATE 🚨 We’re thrill 🚨 BREAKING: POLICY UPDATE 🚨 

We’re thrilled to announce that @CAGovernor just signed two of our co-sponsored bills AB2223 (Wicks) Decriminalization of Abortion and Pregnancy Loss and AB2586 (Garcia) Reproductive Justice and Freedom Fund into law! 🎉

AB2586 (Garcia /Rivas) Reproductive Justice and Freedom Fund bill, and companion $15 million budget request, seeks to address and eliminate reproductive and sexual health inequities by developing responsive policy recommendations centered in a Reproductive Justice Framework. BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and people with disabilities continue to face higher rates of sexual & reproductive health inequities across California, which #AB2586 addresses by employing long term & immediate strategies that center the needs of those most impacted in our communities. 

Investigation and prosecution for ending a pregnancy or experiencing pregnancy loss harms a person’s health and livelihood and disproportionately impacts those already targeted for surveillance & criminalization, including BIPOC; immigrants, LGTBQ+ ppl; young ppl; & low income folks. AB2223 (Wicks) Decriminalization of Abortion and Pregnancy Loss will ensure that no one in the State of California will be investigated for ending a pregnancy or experiencing pregnancy loss.

Thank you to our amazing partners, community members, supporters, and legislators who made this victory possible and continue to invest in building safe and healthy communities where people are all able to access the healthcare services that they need without fear or retribution! 

Say it with us: Deciding when, if, and how to start a family is Reproductive Justice! 
#RJpolicyAgenda #ReproJustice #AB2223 #AB2586 #EndEugenicsLegacy 

[ID: on a solid yellow background, white text says, “BREAKING: Our co-sponsored bills AB2223 & AB2586 have been signed into law!”]
This #WorldContraceptionDay, we’re calling atten This #WorldContraceptionDay, we’re calling attention to the barriers to accessing birth control pills and the need for over-the-counter options because ALL people should have the resources they need to plan their futures, including access to the birth control method of their choice, free from barriers or stigma! 💯 

Research shows that requiring a prescription makes it harder to obtain and consistently use birth control pills. It's a barrier no one should have to deal with. Over-the-counter birth control pills would give people greater access to the tools they need to take care of their own health. Birth control pills are an essential part of health care and health care is a human right. It’s time to make birth control pills over the counter in the US, fully covered by insurance, & accessible to people of all ages!

Expanding contraceptive options & improving equitable access to the full range of sexual & repro health is critical to the fight for Reproductive Justice! 🌟

#ReproJustice #ThisIsRJ #FreeThePill #WorldContraceptionDay #BirthControl
Happy Bi Visibility Day! 💜💗💙 To all of o Happy Bi Visibility Day! 💜💗💙

To all of our beautiful, radiant bisexual familia - you deserve to live and love freely, to have self-determination over your body, to create the family of your choosing, and to be surrounded by supportive and loving communities ALWAYS. Regardless of where you are on your journey or on the spectrum of visibility, you are valid, worthy, and so incredibly loved. May this #BiVisibilityDay be whatever you need it to be. 💗 

Queer liberation is Reproductive Justice! 🌈

🎨: @theunapologeticstreetseries

#ReproJustice #BisexualVisibilityDay #BiVisibilityDay #BisexualityAwarenessWeek #ThisIsRJ

[ID: on a violet background there is a heart in the bisexual flag colors with bubbly cursive white text in the heart that says, “Blessed are the Bisexuals” surrounded by purple, white, and blue flowers]
Join us for a free Oral History Workshop in collab Join us for a free Oral History Workshop in collaboration with @wild_tongue_archive and @avenue50studio! ⭐️ The workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 27th from 4-7pm at the Avenue 50 Studio in Los Angeles and will be the first in a series of Wild Tongue: A Latinx Oral History Archive events hosted by Virginia Espino, PhD, reproductive justice guerrerx and producer of "No Más Bébes."

Wild Tongue is an Oral History archive to recover, rescue, and record the experiences and rebellious ideas that inform the ordinary, yet beautiful lives of a community that is often invisibilized. In this first workshop, you will learn oral history methodology that focuses on a "do no harm" ethics in story collection, and will begin to build the question bank for the Wild Tongue interview.
 
To register for the workshop, visit http://bit.ly/3cLRi86 or click the link in our bio. 🌻

Sharing our stories helps to shatter negative societal stigmas and builds power in our communities and beyond. 📣

#ReproJustice #ThisIsRJ #SpeakingStory

[ID: On a solid sky blue background, there is black bold text that says, "WILD TONGUE: A Latinx Oral history Archive: Free community workshop for those interested in learning how to collect working class narratives from the QTBIPOC Latin American diaspora. Tuesday, September 27th, 2022 4-7pm Avenue 50 Studio 131 N Avenue 50, Los Angeles, CA 90042. Space is limited and priority will be given to Latinx/Chicanx Afro-Latinx and Indigenous women, trans and non-binary people who feel they have experienced gender oppression." In the bottom righthand corner is a picture of Wild Tongue archive founder, Virginia Espino]
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