“VAGINA WEEK” IN THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE. WE ARE NOT JOKING.
It may be April Fools Day but seriously —but interfering with women’s reproductive rights is not funny.
We need your help to stop this year’s ugly mess of “vagina bills”. But first, a bit of inspiration…
MISSOURI WOMEN TELL THEIR ABORTION STORIES
Monday, April 3rd is the HBO documentary premiere of “Abortion: Stories Women Tell”, by director Tracy Droz Tragos, a Missouri native. If you have not yet seen this powerful film (during select screenings last summer), then get ready.
Featuring our very own Dr. Erin King Eisenberg, executive director of Hope Clinic of Granite City, IL along with intimate real life stories told by very courageous Missouri women. I HIGHLY recommend you don’t miss this.
I was fortunate to spend some time with Tracy Droz Tragos during her many hours filming in Missouri and during a screening last summer at Netroots Nation in St. Louis (above l-r, Tracy Droz Tragos, Dr. Erin Eisenberg and me).
See Jezebel’s Conversation with Abortion: Stories Women Tell Director Tracy Droz Tragos on Judgment and Choice – HERE.
Or Glamour Magazine’s feature this week HERE or the feature in Teen Vogue HERE.
MORE MISSOURI WOMEN are speaking out —stories which will break your heart but sadly sometimes happen in the real world. I’m proud of our dedicated advocates, physicians and women who are like you & me, including Robin Utz of St. Louis, whose personal pregnancy story was part of Senate hearings in opposition of the Supreme Court nominee, Neil Gorsuch. READ IT HERE.
MISSOURI GOP BELIEVES THEY ARE OB–GYNS…or JUST “GYNO-TICIANS”?
My knitted uterus along with my manual of vagina bills and medical information – in preparation for floor debate. Little did I expect I’d have to know EVERYTHING about the gestational age of a fetus, when fertilization occurs in a pregnancy, the difference between a zygote and a fetus —-to be a Missouri legislator. Thank goodness for Web Doc on Google – saved me a bundle of money instead of attending medical school.
MISSOURI VAGINA BILLS ON THE MOVE:
HB174 – Protections for Fake Pregnancy Resource Centers & Attacking St. Louis Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, sponsored by Rep. Tila Hubrecht (R-Dexter). PASSED THE HOUSE March 30th by a vote of 118-36 (with an emergency clause even). Bill now moves to the Senate. FACT SHEET HERE. Similar bill in Senate (SB41, sponsored by Sen. Wayne Wallingford (R-Cape Girardeau) – ON THE SENATE FLOOR CALENDAR for debate any day now.
HB194 – Omnibus Abortion Bill Based on Phony Anti-Parenthood Video, sponsored by Rep. Diane Franklin (R-Camdenton). More unconstitutional TRAP (Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers), Fetal Tissue Ban & other unnecessary ON THE HOUSE FLOOR CALENDAR for debate any day now. FACT SHEET HERE. Similar bill in Senate (SB67, sponsored by Sen. Bob Onder (R-Lake St. Louis) – ON THE SENATE FLOOR CALENDAR for debate any day now.
HB908 – “Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, sponsored by Rep. Donna Lichtenegger (R-Cape Girardeau). This bill wants to move pregnancy determination dates REGARDLESS OF HOW REAL DOCTORS ARE TRAINED. No joke. ON THE HOUSE FLOOR CALENDAR for debate any day now. FACT SHEET HERE.
HB326 – Two Parent Notification for a Minor to Obtain an Abortion, sponsored by Rep. Rocky Miller (R -Lake Ozark). NO exemptions for rape or incest – this bill would put minors in grave danger if they were forced to notify both custodial parents – no credible medical organization is in support. ON THE HOUSE FLOOR CALENDAR for debate any day now. FACT SHEET HERE. Similar bill in Senate (SB375, sponsored by Sen. Denny Hoskins (R-Warrensburg – READY FOR THE SENATE FLOOR CALENDAR any day now.
HB182 – Tranporting Minors Across State Lines to Obtain an Abortion, sponsored by Rep. Tom Hurst (R-Meta). VERY unconstitutional. ON THE HOUSE FLOOR CALENDAR for debate any day now. FACT SHEET HERE.
HJR18 – Proposing a Constitutional Amendment regarding the Right of Life, sponsored by Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove). We call it “Zygotes are People” which would outlaw most forms of birth control and infertility treatments. READY TO BE PUT ON HOUSE FLOOR CALENDAR any day now. FACT SHEET HERE.
SB96 – Abortion Ban in cases of Down Syndrome or for gender selection, sponsored by Sen. David Sater (R-Cassville). ON THE SENATE FLOOR CALENDAR for debate any day now. FACT SHEET HERE.
There are MORE 2017 bills filed – see the whole list and fact sheets HERE.
WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT VAGINA BILLS RIGHT NOW:
1. Call your state representative and state senator and tell them exactly what you think. DO NOT BE SHY. DEMAND DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATORS FIGHT THESE HORRENDOUS BILLS. DEMAND THEY GET OUT OF THEIR SEATS AND DEBATE. LOOK UP YOURS HERE IF YOU’RE NOT SURE.
2. Attend a Reproductive Rights Lobby/Rally day in Jefferson City and MAKE SOME NOISE:
Tuesday, April 4th – MISSOURI WOMEN’S NETWORK EQUITY ACTION DAY – RSVP HERE.
Wednesday, April 26th – MORAL MISSOURI LOBBY DAY – RSVP HERE.
Thursday, May 4th – FREEDOM OF CHOICE COUNCIL LOBBY DAY – RSVP HERE.
3. Inform YOUR Reproductive Rights friends —those who care about government staying out of doctor offices. USE YOUR NETWORK.
4. REMEMBER to insist every candidate who knocks on your door or who wants your vote soon —you demand a fighter for Reproductive Rights.