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Feminism: sex and gender

Original poster

Worrying Texas state abortion laws

146 replies

shakeitoffshakeacocktail · 31/08/2021 13:18

I will try and link the article, they are trying to pass a law in Texas that would make anyone able to sue a person or business that is helping people have abortions.

The laws are already super strict in the state and this law somehow also means legal costs would go to the defendant if the case was won

I have been following the abortion laws in America for some years, there was a terrible story where a woman was arrested for endangering her fetus/ baby's life when she was shot (by another woman) in a parking lot, she lost her unborn baby and was SHE (mother) was arrested.

Sorry if I am not as eloquent as others on this topic but it seems so 'handmaidens tale' prequel in the US and it chills me.

I have never understood how a book (bible) and their faith can give them such superiority over others. I know there has been this issue across the centuries but they are such zealots and believe the words in the bible in such a literal sense.

Is it all a cover for power and a worry about birth rates? They want to keep the status quo and an almost Puritan society?

Why must old white men hold such power over all

OP posts:
merrymouse · 01/09/2021 19:55

I think you are right Gerbil.

The glaring contrast is not so much about awareness of what is going in Europe versus the US but awareness of what is going on in other parts of the U.K. versus the US.

NiceGerbil · 01/09/2021 19:59

So here. The danger is. Where?

Are the Tories cosying up to USA right? We tend to cosy up to whoever is in charge there tbh.

And in the UK abortion is.. just not a big deal. Those who try to reduce the time are seen by most as annoying loons.

All the RC people I know here are cultural. Not at all against contraception abortion homosexuality.

It's just. Most people it's just not on their radar. Jobs economy immigration NHS pensions. That's what gets the motor going here.

NiceGerbil · 01/09/2021 20:04

The idea that UK women need to pay MORE attention to some states in USA. And what they are trying to do m Than our neighbours in Europe. And what has been done. Or has been for a while

Because of language...

Seriously?

What about women in NI actually accessing the care they are now legally allowed to have. Same as the way Texas has made it difficult to access.

As far as I'm aware there's not a language barrier. Unless you want to get into the English / Irish language schools etc side of things..

AaalrightyThen · 01/09/2021 20:11

What's happening in Texas, and potentially some other states, feels like such a retrograde step. We can only hope the Supreme Court steps in and overturns as unconstitutional.

EmbarrassingAdmissions · 01/09/2021 21:04

I'm only just beginning to catch-up on the full horrors of this bill. There's a bounty ?

Physicians are not the only ones that could be targeted under SB8: a breathtakingly wide range of people and groups, including clinic nurses, abortion fund workers, domestic violence and rape crisis counselors, or even a family member who offers a car ride to the clinic could now face suit from strangers. Those who sue can collect a minimum of $10,000 if they win, but if providers are legally successful they cannot recoup any legal payment. The law, say providers, will spur abortion “bounty hunters”

dreamingbohemian · 01/09/2021 21:42

@NiceGerbil

The idea that UK women need to pay MORE attention to some states in USA. And what they are trying to do m Than our neighbours in Europe. And what has been done. Or has been for a while

Because of language...

Seriously?

What about women in NI actually accessing the care they are now legally allowed to have. Same as the way Texas has made it difficult to access.

As far as I'm aware there's not a language barrier. Unless you want to get into the English / Irish language schools etc side of things..

Nobody is saying UK women SHOULD pay more attention to the US than Europe. But clearly in practice they are, so I was just trying to explain why that might be. And to point out that it's not a bad thing to pay attention to the US because of potential influence over here.

It's not just on this issue, people in the UK seemed really engaged with the US presidential election last year, whereas I"m not sure most people even know about the upcoming German federal election or who is likely to replace Merkel (something that will have a direct impact on the UK). It's unfortunate but how it is, I think.

As a foreigner I have never understood why NI gets so little attention in the rest of the UK, I agree it makes no sense

NiceGerbil · 01/09/2021 22:14

I think the world paid attention to the USA election due to trump!

NiceGerbil · 01/09/2021 22:15

'As a foreigner I have never understood why NI gets so little attention in the rest of the UK, I agree it makes no sense'

Ah a complicated long story that one.

The main media being v London centric doesn't help either.

NiceGerbil · 01/09/2021 22:18

Oh and the main media report on USA way more than is warranted.

The idea that there is any commonality really between the countries is a massive error. It's part I suppose of the massive amount of USA entertainment we consume due to shared language. And the USA have always been good at sort of being a brand that is exported and sold as desirable.

It's interesting for sure.

NiceGerbil · 01/09/2021 22:26

The depressing fact is that while abortion in USA comes up all the time because it's a wedge issue.

When it comes to women's/ girls rights in certain States there is shit going on that's already in place.

The fact that such a significant % of hosps are RC really massively startled me when I read about it. And that is a huge issue for women.

Then other things as well obv.

It's just such a different culture though esp in certain States.

I once had a young woman come to our office for 3 months for a project. We were always asking each other questions and telling stories. Just miles apart.

BrandineDelRoy · 01/09/2021 23:26

I'm a lawyer and in Texas. I don't know what I can do to fight this but I will. I had an abortion 3 years ago that under this law would be subject to a lawsuit- even from the father who couldn't be bothered to get a vasectomy.

Delphinium20 · 01/09/2021 23:54

Texas is a massive state the size of France, with miles of empty country, a large border with Mexico, its northern border of Oklahoma (which also has a near ban on abortion) and its eastern borders of Arkansas and Louisiana both have strict abortion laws. Texans can drive to the western border of New Mexico, but it's still miles and miles inside that unpopulated state to get to an abortion provider. It's the equivalent of living in Rome and needing to drive to Norway, but instead of passing through Geneva and Frankfurt, you're driving through a terrain as empty as Siberia.

These logistics are massive obstacles for women, especially those who are poor, and without a car. Buses aren't the best and there are few trains.

IveGotASongThatllGetOnYNerves · 01/09/2021 23:58

It's about controlling women.
It is frightening just how backwards some parts of the US are.

NiceGerbil · 02/09/2021 00:05

Is there any issue with unsafe abortion in Texas at the moment? It's been made really hard to access for ages from what I've read.

BrandineDelRoy · 02/09/2021 02:28

@NiceGerbil

Is there any issue with unsafe abortion in Texas at the moment? It's been made really hard to access for ages from what I've read.
We have to count on our federal courts to stay the law and then get it overturned.
NiceGerbil · 02/09/2021 02:33

Not about this though in general.

I know access to abortion has been under attack for ages and is already difficult to get.

I was wondering if there is an issue with unsafe abortion.

BrandineDelRoy · 02/09/2021 02:40

@NiceGerbil

Not about this though in general.

I know access to abortion has been under attack for ages and is already difficult to get.

I was wondering if there is an issue with unsafe abortion.

No. It's entirely safe.
NiceGerbil · 02/09/2021 02:42

The law about the nature of clinics allowed to perform abortions closed a lot of clinics and even when overturned many didn't reopen. I think it was already really hard and lots of travel etc before this and for ages.

Are they tracking consequences of unsafe abortion? I mean that's already a big worry.

LoooooooongCovid · 02/09/2021 02:43

Horrifying!

NiceGerbil · 02/09/2021 02:43

Oh sorry missed that

I mean back street abortion/ women trying to induce miscarriage.

BrandineDelRoy · 02/09/2021 02:48

I have to sleep now and have a funeral tomorrow. I will try to answer questions then.

NiceGerbil · 02/09/2021 02:51

Brandie sorry more questions! Not often we get someone on the ground as it were and with expertise.

Do you think there's a link between the high maternal mortality rate in Texas and the increasing difficulty in obtaining an abortion (due to previous laws etc)?

If not do you have a view on why the maternal mortality is so high?

NiceGerbil · 02/09/2021 02:52

Sorry to hear that Brandie. Best wishes for tomorrow I hope you are ok.

BrandineDelRoy · 02/09/2021 02:54

@NiceGerbil

Brandie sorry more questions! Not often we get someone on the ground as it were and with expertise.

Do you think there's a link between the high maternal mortality rate in Texas and the increasing difficulty in obtaining an abortion (due to previous laws etc)?

If not do you have a view on why the maternal mortality is so high?

I'll be back tomorrow evening US time.

I'm going to my cousin's funeral tomorrow. 45 years old. No underlying conditions. He died of Covid because he wasn't vaccinated.

Get vaccinated

NiceGerbil · 02/09/2021 03:04

I'm sorry to hear that. So young.