All too often the pro-life opinion gets reduced to a minority of moral abolutists (most likely because they are the most vocal section of the movement), and people tend to forget that some pro-life people are merely interested in seeing an end to the necessity for abortion. And this is ultimately where the paths cross – pro-choice people are not “pro-abortion”, they largely don’t see it as a preferable option in any case, however they merely recognise the point you have made above, that outlawing abortion just makes the situation worse. Abortion itself is not the problem. The problem is that people have compelling reasons to seek abortions.

I would love to see a pro-life movement dominated by people who are working their backsides off to ensure that all pregnant women are able to give birth in a safe, happy environment and providde adequately for their children. Unfortunately, the discourse we hear most from the pro-lifers is condemnation of abortion doctors, and condemnation of those who support women who need a choice.

I understand. I think maybe some women would be hesitant, and weary to share her story, unsure of whether or not her story would be used for a political agenda, and understandably so as there are so many sites out there claiming to be non-political or neutral, but are hardly so.

Secondly, I think we have to be really careful when we use words like negative and positive. I know its a short-hand that many of us throw around in different situations, but I don’t think they’re fully accurate.

Indeed, it was shorthand and a mistake, however it was better explained when I later wrote in the same paragraph, “Every individual women’s contributing factors into her experience (socio-economic situation, support from others,
inner beliefs, etc) are different and complex, we need to move away from framing it in the sense of political rights (positives) and wrongs (negatives) to seeing individual situations.

I don’t know that the voices of women in our zine are necessarily “positive” stories so much as they are by people who have come to some kind of resolution and healing from what could be “negative” experiences. We do think its incredibly important to show the various ways people have come through their experiences into whole, healthy people – that this sense of well-being is possible for everyone. It is part of our strength-based, empowerment model for emotional support.

I do appreciate your allowing me here and listening to my views, despite our differing political views.

A few thoughts on the zine: we are always working to increase the distribution of the zine and include more and diverse stories, a constant challenge, no doubt. We have received very few submissions for “negative” stories, so we print the best written/most poignant of what we receive. We welcome your help in reaching more women and inviting their submissions.

Secondly, I think we have to be really careful when we use words like negative and positive. I know its a short-hand that many of us throw around in different situations, but I don’t think they’re fully accurate. I don’t know that the voices of women in our zine are necessarily “positive” stories so much as they are by people who have come to some kind of resolution and healing from what could be “negative” experiences. We do think its incredibly important to show the various ways people have come through their experiences into whole, healthy people – that this sense of well-being is possible for everyone. It is part of our strength-based, empowerment model for emotional support.