[*Anya*]

I am not going to split hairs here or debate over words. What is going on is a systematic assault on the rights of women to control their own bodies and their own destiny.

I have had an abortion. I have never written those words anywhere, nor have I ever admitted it to a soul that knows me.

The very last time I ever had sex with a biological male was in 1978. I would call it date rape. I did want to have sex with him at first and wanted to put my diaphragm in but he would not allow me to do so. He did hold me down against my will and I became pregnant. This was after finally getting off of welfare after 5-years, working full-time and raising two small children with no child support. It was impossible for me to have that baby.

I knew it was the only choice for me. I called a clinic, spoke to a counselor for 5-minutes, was asked if I was sure, had an exam, pregnancy test and the date for the procedure set. I coughed up the $225 it cost, took a taxi, was sedated, had it, took a taxi home and dealt with the aftermath by myself.

Would it have felt like another rape to be forced to undergo a phallic-probe ultrasound before I could have the procedure? I seriously doubt it but why in the fuck should anyone have to experience it to undergo a legal medical procedure for any reason at all besides hoping somehow the woman changes her mind and decides not to have the abortion?

All of us should care about this systematic dismantling of a woman's right to chose what to do with her own body! LGBTQ's are raped and assaulted-it is not just a straight woman's problem-it is a problem for all of us and for our daughters as well.