Just in time for the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, female celebrities reenacted optimistic abortion stories from women who either aborted their unborn babies or desperately wanted to.
On Wednesday, The Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR) partnered with seven female actresses to release videos of abortion stories. In the videos, the celebrities, from Elizabeth Banks to Bellamy Young, “share real women's stories about the impact of attacks on reproductive health care.” Positive abortion stories, that is.
CRR conveniently left out the stories of women who regret their abortions.
As part of CRR’s Draw the Line campaign, the videos encouraged viewers to sign a petition against Texas law in the upcoming Supreme Court abortion case. “I draw the line against attacks on safe and legal abortion,” the petition read.
While the stories told by the actresses are heart-wrenching, they only show one side of abortion. They only show abortion as a good. They only show abortion affecting one person: the woman.
Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2) read “Rebecca’s Story.”
When Rebecca’s birth control failed, Rebecca “knew [she] had to end the pregnancy” as a college student. Abused by her boyfriend, Rebecca told her pro-life best friend, “I d[o] not want to create a life with such a hateful man.”
Playing Rebecca, Banks detailed how the women in Rebecca’s life, including her best friend, supported her.
“Because the life they were most concerned about was mine,” she said. “When you love someone, you want the best for them, and that means you would do anything to protect them from being forced to do something against their will.”
Amy Brenneman (The Leftovers) read “Whitney’s Story.” Because of an anomaly, Whitney and her husband decided to abort their unborn baby.
“Our choice wasn’t easy. It was miserable. But it was also right for our family,” Brenneman said, posing as Whitney. “But even out of uncertainty and sorrow there can come great joy.”
Retta (Parks and Recreation) read “Rosario’s Story” of an ectopic pregnancy.
Mercedes Mason (Fear the Walking Dead) read “Laura’s Story. A college student, Laura insisted she was “not ready to be a mother.”
Mary McCormack (House of Lies) read “Susanne’s Story.” Susanne had preterm labor – and was unable to get an abortion before giving birth.
“I had no real choice,” McCormack said as Susanne. “A difference in personal opinion should never affect an individual’s ability to get the care they need.”
Dascha Polanco (Orange Is the New Black) read “Kayleigh’s Story.” According to Kayleigh, the timing was off.
“I’m proud,” Polanco said as Kayleigh. “I had the guts to make the right choice for myself.”
Bellamy Young (Scandal) read “Faith’s Story” of a woman who had epilepsy.
