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Original poster

Northern Ireland abortion laws change by midnight tonight (21 Oct)

32 replies

FeminismandWomensFights · 21/10/2019 12:14

BBC news article says:
Abortion law: NI politicians to return to Stormont

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-50115449

’NI's Stormont Assembly will sit for the first time in nearly three years after being recalled in a last-ditch attempt to stop changes to the abortion law.
Unionist parties, who oppose the upcoming liberalisation, triggered the recall with a petition. NI has been without a devolved government since January 2017 when the power-sharing parties split.
Abortion laws will change at midnight unless devolution is restored but the recall is seen as largely symbolic.
Without an executive in place, Stormont cannot affect the laws.
It is unlikely an executive will be established as it needs support from both the unionist and republican communities’.

What does ‘largely symbolic’ mean?
Is there a chance that it could stop abortion rights coming to Northern Ireland?
Women in Northern Ireland (and same sex couples) deserve better than this insulting, self-interested farce.

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sweetkitty · 22/10/2019 12:52

Oh she’s now talking about babies being killed at 8 months, killed for having a cleft palate, partial abortion (brain stem stabbed as baby is being born), and we think we are a civilised society!

Then a quote from a Catholic Bishop (we all know how much they respect women’s bodies). There is so much I want to say I want to start by saying Well done NI but it’ll just inflame things, a polite hide posts will do.

As I keep saying don’t believe in abortions don’t have one keep you nose out of other women’s business.

It’s a sad state of affairs when the pro-life groups are using things like killing 8 month old babies to try and defend their argument.

SapatSea · 22/10/2019 09:42

This or worse will be the sort of crap brave souls who step forward to offer a service ill be subject to. Importing US style tactics
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/1999/aug/17/healthandwellbeing.health5

NigellaAwesome · 22/10/2019 09:36

SapAtSea I really wish we had a like button. Your post is spot on.

SapatSea · 22/10/2019 09:33

Fifty Two years !!! it has taken to get to the point where NI will have legal parity with the rest of the "Union". How much suffering in that time, "shotgun" weddings,fear and debt, shame and loathing?

The so called "unionists" are so keen to be part of the "union" and insist on being treated like the rest of it as their right... except when it comes to womens rights. The Assembly hasn't sat for over two years but the DUP will make an exception when it comes to denying the rights of women and the L&G community.

FlaviaAlbia · 22/10/2019 09:10

I've seen an astonishing amount of God will judge you type posts from people who are clearly quite happy to take the role of judgement on themselves.

BigChocFrenzy · 22/10/2019 08:44

The Assembly can't return until the Nationalist community agree

and iirc they collapsed the Assembly mainly because of the DUP trying to evade responsibility for the Cash for Ash scandal, enquiries into which are ongoing

BigChocFrenzy · 22/10/2019 08:40

The DUP - Party of NO - gnashing its teeth to a background of cheers from the non-dinosaurs:

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/first-samesex-marriages-in-northern-ireland-likely-to-happen-by-valentines-day-2020-38616669.html

The first same-sex marriages in Northern Ireland are likely to taking place by Valentine’s Day 2020, the Secretary of State has said.
....
Northern Ireland Secretary Julian Smith also said he plans for the legal framework to be in place to access abortion by March 31.

Dyrne · 22/10/2019 08:37

sweetkitty I wonder how your friend would react if you put up a photo of a woman dead from sepsis, or from a home-attempt gone wrong?

FlaviaAlbia · 22/10/2019 08:33

Nigella I asked about Downs Syndrome during my scans for DS2 and they said they don't check for that here. Any heart problems would be picked up I suppose but as far as I know, in the rest of the UK they get told the likelihood and it's actively looked for.

Whatever the decision you make, it's good to have the knowledge to prepare anyway.

Eve · 22/10/2019 08:13

The waiting lists in NI for surgery are 2-3 years, many people are in a lot of pain and die whilst being on those waiting lists.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-49509002

Would be great if all those protesting and the MLAs showed some care and made the same effort to improve life for those on the lists, but that doesn't suit their bigoted beliefs!

sweetkitty · 21/10/2019 23:02

One of my friends has posted a photo of a 22 week old baby in an incubator stating that in NI it will now be legal to kill that baby (taken from SPUC funnily enough). She now has a black page as her profile photo. Hmm

Fine she doesn’t believe is abortions, she doesn’t have one but don’t tell any other woman what she can or can’t do with her body. Funny how they cry about killing babies yet say nothing about children being brought up neglected and abused. Forget about them once they are born.

I’m vegan I don’t post photos of pigs being slaughtered on FB it’s not the place for it IMHO. I don’t share my views every 5 minutes, either your a vegan or your not. My friend accused of caring more for animals than dead babies.

NigellaAwesome · 21/10/2019 22:48

What do you mean Flavia?

On the mainland do they do more checks other than the 12 and 20 week scans, or are the tests they do at that time more comprehensive?

FlaviaAlbia · 21/10/2019 22:45

I wonder how the practicalities will work out now.

I think in the rest of the UK there's more antenatal checks done as standard than here. I wonder if they'll be available now or if it'll stay as it is.

Original poster
FeminismandWomensFights · 21/10/2019 22:18

I am obviously really relieved that women in NI have an option now, I am happy no ones been able to thwart it politically. I find it a bit hard to celebrate it as such though, not because I am not happy for NI women but when a burning injustice like this is finally righted, all that misogynistic control of women (in this instance at least) now needing to be retold only in the history textbooks is where we should be- no longer happening in all-too-real life.
its a bit of a wierd feeling to know it’s coming to an end. Feeling relief but also just anger still at the unfairness heaped on women and how NI and GB’s politicians have cynically done fuck all to help them for so long. It is very sobering how women are reliant on political support for just the very basics. Flowers Stella Creasy for her part though.
On the other hand I know it’s really important to celebrate wins so Flowers everyone who has fought for this over the years. Flowers to all women affected by this directly.

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ForeverFaithless · 21/10/2019 22:13

Well done to Sarah Ewart and Stella Creasy for their campaigning. As others have said, it will still be difficult accessing services I'm sure.

BernardBlacksWineIceLolly · 21/10/2019 21:32

yes, fantastic work Stella Creasy Star

she's taken a lot of shit from some very unhinged people over this.

TemporaryPermanent · 21/10/2019 20:55

Thank you Stella Creasy. I don't agree with you on everything and I dont need to. Thank you for seizing the day and just doing this.

FakeUp · 21/10/2019 20:35

Excellent - so much of it down to Stella Creasy's bravery and determination

Original poster
FeminismandWomensFights · 21/10/2019 20:06

If what they are putting in legally is giving women abortion as part of normal medical care ie not making it conditional on two doctors saying yes Hmm before the woman can have it, then it’s great and hopefully the whole of the UK will take that model on.
I am delighted that no more Northern Irish women will have to journey to get abortions.Flowers

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MockersthefeMANist · 21/10/2019 19:36

As mentioned, the problem of who will dare put their heads above the parapet and offer services?

I have visions of portakabins just across the border with neon signs.

SonicVersusGynaephobia · 21/10/2019 19:33

I am so happy for NI women. There are probably a fair few women and girls who are in an awful situation right now and have suddenly got an option.

Is it correct that the law in NI will mimic the new one in the Republic, rather than the UK, meaning it will be more liberal (is that the right word?) than the UK? Ie on-demand for any reason up to 12 weeks, whereas UK it needs doctor's approval that is for a justifiable reason?

If so, that's great for NI women. Hope UK follows suit. Although it is odd that it is the Republic's laws it will mirror.

Original poster
FeminismandWomensFights · 21/10/2019 19:33

It will go ahead- thank goodness
Abortion: NI politicians' bid to halt law changes fails
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-50115449

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ErrolTheDragon · 21/10/2019 18:59

about time Northern Ireland caught up with the 21st century

It is... well, hopefully they've got as far as the 20th now at least.

CoolCarrie · 21/10/2019 18:55

I am delighted, about time Northern Ireland caught up with the 21st century, no more women having to “get the boat” to have safe terminations, at last they have safe choices and power over their bodies.

FlaviaAlbia · 21/10/2019 18:54

I've almost been scared to get my hopes up today in case it doesn't happen but this is amazing.

I can't believe it's actually changing.