“I’m Genuinely Scared For Women In This Country” Busy Philipps Spoke About Having An Abortion At 15

Busy Philipps/Instagram

Busy Philipps condemned a strict new abortion bill in Georgia which would ban terminations after six weeks.

The actress, who hosts her own show Busy Tonight, passionately spoke about her fear and sadness over the new bill while also opening up about her own experience.

“I had an abortion when I was 15 years old, and I’m telling you this because I am genuinely really scared for women and girls all over this country,” she said, close to tears. “And I think that we all need to be talking more and sharing our stories more.”

Georgia’s Republican governor Brian Kemp signed legislation this month which bans abortion once cardiac activity can be detected, which is usually around six weeks. Many people who are pregnant do not know before the six week mark.

Busy explained that even with strict laws, women will still seek terminations, but it will be far more difficult for them.

“Here’s the reality, no bill that criminalises abortion will stop anyone from making this incredibly personal choice, but these laws will put more women at risk. Every woman deserves compassion and care not judgement and interference when it comes to their own bodies. The statistic is one in four women will have an abortion before age 45 and that statistic sometimes surprises people, maybe you’re sitting there thinking ‘I don’t know a woman who would have an abortion’, Well, you know me.”

 

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A post shared by Busy Philipps (@busyphilipps) on May 8, 2019 at 7:40am PDT

She shared the video on Instagram and revealed in the caption that Georgia is the 6th state to pass such a bill and there are 11 states where similar legislation is pending.

“I get why people feel strongly about abortion, BUT I also know that women and their doctors are in the best position to make informed decisions about what is best for them. Nobody else. I spoke about my abortion last night on my show because I won’t be silent while women’s rights are stripped away,” she said.

It’s not the first time Busy has opened up about her procedure as a teen, in her memoir, This Will Only Hurt A Little, she spoke about the difficult time in her life and how her then-boyfriend’s mother called her ‘selfish’ and even a murderer but that her own mother provided her with support and respect.

“My mother is who you want in your corner,” she wrote. “She just supported and loved me.”

Busy’s emotional monologue on her show garnered support from many celebrities and activists with the likes of Tara Flynn, Elizabeth Banks, Jenna Fischer and Colin Hanks praising her in the comments on Instagram.

Visit Abortion Rights Campaign for information and support. 

• Busy Philipps