Sex and Tampa Bay

Yesterday in Tallahassee two controversial (and idiotic) pieces of legislation both died while a third one continues down the path to becoming a law.

Let’s start with the good news - Baggy Pants are not a crime (except against fashion). Gov. Christ has said that he would veto the bill if it even makes it to his desk. Really, this is a case where cooler heads prevailed. Yes, people hate seeing teens in baggy pants, but the idea of making a law to outlaw the pants in schools it taking it too far. The dress code of each school should be set by the local school board, not Tallahassee. And most schools (rightly) care more about raising test scores than falling pants.

Another good thing - the law that would have forced women to wait 24 hours before having an abortion has died in committee. This isn’t a pro-choice of pro-life issue, it’s about respecting women. An abortion is a medical procedure, and we would never imagine passing a law that would force men to wait 24 hours before a procedure. Can you imagine?

“Well Mr. Smith, I know you say that you want to have a vasectomy, but by law you have to wait 24 hours. Just in case you realize, overnight, that you actually do want children!”

That would NEVER happen.

But, for some reason, we don’t mind taking that tone with women. I’ve never been pregnant, so I haven’t been in the position where I needed to make a decision about abortion. However, if I was in a crisis pregnancy situation I would want all of the options available to me.

It’s a good thing that the waiting period was defeated. Unfortunately, a measure that would force women to get an ultrasound before having an abortion did make it through committee. Although, it was amended to say that women didn’t have to look at the ultrasound.

Like that makes it better.

The entire purpose of this legislation is to make it harder and more expensive to get an abortion. The abortion procedure will become more expensive because you’ll need to add in the cost of an ultrasound. Also, most 1st trimester ultrasounds are done through the vagina instead of through the abdomen, which can be very embarrassing. If you’ve never had one of these ultrasounds done (I’ve had dozens because of my ovarian cysts) they take what looks like a giant vibrator, put a lubed condom on it, and slide it into your vagina. Then they move it around trying to get a good picture of your uterus on the screen.

Honestly, it is very similar to a sex act. In fact, I’ve gotten noticeable excited during one of my exams which is pretty embarrassing, but not unusual. Still, for someone who is already going through a difficult situation to have to go through that is really just cruel. It’s one thing to choose to have a transvaginal ultrasound, but another to be forced to do it.

I can’t imagine how someone who was having an abortion because of rape would feel about having to go through that process. I get so angry just thinking about it.

I’ve also blogged before about the larger problem with this bill - the idea that women don’t actually realize what an abortion is. There’s still this myth that if a woman only sees the ultrasound she’ll instantly change her mind about abortion.  I sometimes wonder if these pro-life people, who I’m sure have the best intentions, have actually ever spoken to a woman who has had an abortion. If they had, they’d realize that practical issues like money, a lack of family and relational support, and unstable living situations were behind most abortions. Ultrasounds won’t fix those problems.

If you care about protecting the rights of women to make medical choices without government intervention, call your local state rep and let them know that you are against this bill.