Nobody expects the vaginal inquisition.
REGISTER FOR THE TEAM UTERATI WIKI PROJECT!
As I’ve been sitting here for most of the day reading about the Transvaginal Stupidfest that is sweeping the nation, it occurs to me that we need a coordinated effort to stop Republicans from crawling into our uteri (or the uterus of someone you love).
A lot of women from Texas have expressed burgeoning hope about the fact that after having been virtually ignored while Republicans moved into their vaginas (state-sanctioned rape is already law and being enforced in Texas), the rest of the country is finally paying attention. Virginia fired everyone up. Let’s capitalize on the outrage. Anti-women and anti-choice laws have been or will be introduced in virtually every state. We need to organize… NOW.
So I propose that we use this thread to drop links, news, share stories, vent, bitch, and commiserate. If you’re not comfortable leaving information in the comments, I’ve set up a gmail account under the name Uterati Jenkins: teamuterati@gmail.com. Email me there. I’ve also set up a google+ profile under the same name. (I’ll maintain the account at the outset until we get more organized and figure out how this is going to work.)
The way I see it, if we can amass information about all the legislation in all 50 states and compile it into easy-to-digest bites, then we can educate ourselves and also encourage the MSM to cover this news more fully.
It’s all vaginas on deck, people. (I’d say “all penises on deck, too” but really? That’s a little weird. Still, to the menfolk who are outraged by the assault on women, you’re part of the Uterati, too. So, welcome! Your first fallopian tube is free.)
As this project evolves, I’ll update this post, so stay tuned.
There are Republicans banging at our collective uterine gate. We’re not going to let them in.
***If you have any ideas about how to make this run more smoothly, please speak up. The last thing anybody wants is for me to be in charge because — ooh something shiny!!!!11
(image via)
Be sure to follow Team Uterati on Twitter and use the hashtag #Uterati!
UPDATE: A link to the spreadsheet thus far. Pennsylvania and Alabama should be our next focus.
UPDATE AGAIN: I’ve decided that Google spreadsheets is the debil. So I created a chart and uploaded it to Scribd. There’s probably a fancier more high-tech way to go about it, but I’m old and don’t understand you kids and your fancy technology. (My lawn — you’re on it.)
FINAL UPDATE: The chart is available on Team Uterati’s new website, and will be automatically updated as I upload it to Scribd.
LAST UPDATE EVER: Team Uterati is now live. The wiki project is already proceeding. Come join us! All are welcome. Men and women of any political persuasion. Women’s rights knows no party.
Hey chica,
Just a quick question. The post title says you’re starting a Wiki but the body says you want to use this thread for links, etc.
Which is it? I think a Wiki is a good idea bc it’s collaborative and easier to organize info instead of just a comment thread.
Just a thought!
i thought i’d use the comment thread as a starting point. so people can post bill numbers and whatnot. i’m working on a google docs spreadsheet right now. i agree with you about a wiki, i just haven’t a clue as to how to create on just yet!
thanks!
That bill in VA that we were celebrating being dismissed not 24 hours ago? PA is trying to pass one just like it. Go here to sign the petition to stop it: http://signon.org/sign/stop-pennsylvanias-mandatory.fb1?source=s.fb&r_by=329526
And if you’re a Pennsylvanian like myself, call your Representative and give ‘em an earful.
also note that the VA bill was not dismissed, it was modified so that an abdominal ultrasound may be used in lieu of the transvaginal test — (1) it is still a shaming law; (2) it still requires women to have a medically unnecessary test that requires the health care practitioners to perform regardless of whether they think it is warranted; (3) it still requires a waiting period after the medically-unnecessary procedures; (4) it still requires the woman to incur additional and very high-cost expenses on top of the completely legal medical procedures she needs/wants; (5) it is still state-sanctioned religion; (6) it is still men controlling women’s self-determination. We absolutely must not give Virginia’s governor or legislature a pass on this just because they decided not to go with full state-rape.
Hi ABL! Pass this on please. April 28th. The National March Against The War Against Women is currently being organized in many states. List of state groups can be found to the right of the page. Let’s all work together. Thanks! V
https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/300397393356744/
Thank You ABL! I tweeted the other day that we (women) need to stand up for our rights (No offense to men that support our rights). I have been thinking of ideas, but now I do not. :-) Would it be easier to make a page/group on FB than have everyone post here? Just a thought.
yeah! probably! that’s a good idea.
I never finished a sentence. Pasta Coma…
I originally saw this over freethoughtblogs but it’s quickly spreading.
http://amaditalks.tumblr.com/post/18156955975/on-tuesday-after-liveblogging-my-read-through-of#tumblr_notes
yes, i read that too. outrageous.
Something relevant to Uterati – Do you think you could make a post about that short story? ( http://amandaching.wordpress.com/2012/02/20/67/ )
Gracias!
yup!
Everyone should read that story. Damn. I still have chills from reading it.
gah that was so good. eeriest thing is that america is possible under any of the current republican candidates.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I was just blogging yesterday about how badly this is needed and a few Texan feminists expressed keen interest on getting organized. I’m going to send this out into the tumblr/twitter/facebook verse! This is a wonderful and totally necessary idea.
http://ngb-prochoice.deviantart.com/ I’m just going to leave this link right here for those of you who have a deviantART. I think it’s relevant to the Uterati, alright.
Except that they use the language of anti-choicers, including the lie of “partial-birth abortion”.
Thank you, thank you, for this! If I run across something that I don’t see posted here, I’ll add it.
The Guttmacher Institute has a very good overview of all the current state laws as of Feb. 1, 2012: http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_OAL.pdf
The National Conference of State Legislatures has all of the Guttmacher charts in one place, including mandatory counseling and waiting periods for abortion, state funding of abortion under Medicaid, parental involvement in abortions for minors and abortion policy in the absence of Roe v Wade: http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/abortion-laws.aspx
Planned Parenthood Action is a good source for facts on contraception laws, restrictions, etc.: http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/positions/facts-on-birth-control-coverage-for-women-1117.htm
The National Women’s Law Center is an invaluable resource for all things women, including reproductive health issues: http://www.nwlc.org/repro
I’ll add more as I gather them.
this is great. thank you.
Florida House passed a bill to regulate reproductive health clinics out of existence and requires doctors to tell women seeking an abortion about fetal pain.
http://aclufl.wordpress.com/2012/02/24/tell-the-legislature-i-trust-florida-women-so-should-you/
There is a second bill in Iowa House File 2298, now Senate File 2194, that is a complete ban on abortion. No exception whatsoever, not for medical necessity, rape or incest, and it makes “feticide” a Class A Felony punishable by life in prison without parole, that would be woman, doctor and ANYONE else that knew.
I wrote a letter to the Des Moines Register that I doubt that they’ll post, so I posted it on my hubbys FB, it’s got all the info.
Please, share this! *HUG*
https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=236518646441758
Thanks everyone. This is awesome!
I don’t know if this is what you’re looking for at all, but I did just do a cursory search.
In Michigan (where I’m at), last year, our legislature redundantly passed a partial birth abortion ban.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(inyze345owsgbq2isnmeexzl))/mileg.aspx?page=BillStatus&objectname=2011-SB-0160
You know, because the federal one isn’t strong enough, or something. And JERBS.
Not a legislative update, but for those who don’t know, there are a number of abortion funds around the country that help provide funding for indigent women who, thanks to the Hyde Amendment, cannot use Medicaid to pay for a LEGAL medical procedure. I used to be on the board of the Chicago Abortion Fund and I still donate, but this link may help you hook up with one closer to your own region.
http://www.fundabortionnow.org/
SC- H3355/ Act 222 signed 5/14/08 Ultrasound Bill- requires an ultrasound 60 minutes before abortion, view the image, signed by doctor and woman.: http://goo.gl/XbaFB
SC-S.245: Life Beginning at Conception Act: Prefiled 12/08/10, current: 1/11/11: referred to committee on Judiciary- life begins at fertilization & grants due process & equal protection: http://goo.gl/rTjhn
SC-H.3122 – signed by Gov. 2/28/90- parental consent for abortions for minors: http://goo.gl/cgs6k
SC Act 1: signed by Gov 1/3/95- Abortion Clinic Regulation Act: http://goo.gl/1iKsO
Note: That abortions have declined in South Carolina by 51 percent in 10 years and by 17 percent nationwide doesn’t mean women are being denied their right to abortion. It means girls and women are making better choices than abortion. http://goo.gl/rqjM2
Note:
The Saga of the South Carolina Abortion Clinic Regulation Act: http://goo.gl/WFNRf
SC- H3502-Partial Birth Abortion Bill: signed by Gov 3/26/97: makes it unlawful & a felony w/ cause of action against person performing abortion: http://goo.gl/Hejkb
SC-H3245: Woman’s Right to Know Act (informed consent): signed by Gov. 6/24/10: 24H waiting period after receiving information, including clinics that do ultrasounds for free: http://goo.gl/AiEPc
Not any anti-woman laws, but this is interesting:
A PAC has been formed following Virginia’s legislation to help keep shit like that down:
http://preview.tinyurl.com/7hsa2ek
Abortion Laws Affecting the Sanctity of Life: http://goo.gl/c1Gr5
-It appears to be all paragraph form. Each page has a “works cited” or “bibliography,” depending on whether it is there essay or the original research.
Looking at Gov Nikki Haley’s key votes before she became governor:
http://goo.gl/XyYHW
All yes votes:
2/26/09-h3245: 24H waiting period for abortions
2/24/09- amdt5: Prohibiting employment termination due to abortion waiting period
2/24/09-amdt2: Exempting cases of rape from abortion waiting period
3/21/07- H3355: Pre-abortion ultrasound
5/25/06- S1084: Penalties for harming an unborn child/ fetus
5/25/06: Amdt3 to S1084: Inclusion of unborn child/ fetus in civil suits amendment
thanks for all the links. keep ‘em coming.
http://www.teamuterati.com is up and running. i’m still working on the format, but you should check it out!
I don’t know if you are interested in this, but here is the TX Medical Board memo on HB 15:
http://www.tmb.state.tx.us/news/HB15-ProviderNoticeLetter-2-3-12.pdf
definitely interested. thank you.
Not sure if this is still the best thread, so I’ll send this info to a couple of places.
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/03/07/arizona-senate-passes-bill-allowing-doctors-to-not-inform-women-of-prenatal-issues-to-prevent-abortions/
The Arizona Senate just passed a bill allowing doctors free reign not to inform women of prenatal issues. Those doctors also could not be sued for malpractice on the basis of information withheld in this way. This not only affects children, but it would allow a doctor to avoid telling a woman about ectopic pregnancy or another condition that is life-threatening to her, so long as it has to do with a prenatal issue.
Great idea ABL, and thanks! Joined over at the wiki already.