Jameela Jamil reveals she had an abortion when she was young: 'It was the best decision I have ever made'
Jameela Jamil is slamming Georgia’s anti-abortion law — and revealing a personal reason for doing so.
In social media posts on Monday, The Good Place star and body positive advocate called the “heartbeat” law, which will go into effect in January unless blocked by a court, “inhumane” and “blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women” as well as “a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health.”
This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist. https://t.co/WROYaLAwPG
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
The British actress, 33, went on to share that she had an abortion when she was “young,” not sharing her exact age, and called it “the best decision I have ever made,” adding, “for me and for the baby I didn’t want” and “wasn’t ready for.”
I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn’t want, and wasn’t ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel.
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
She pointed out that forcing women to have babies they don’t want could increase the number of children in the foster care system.
Ps.. this isn’t any diss at ALL to foster homes. I’m in awe of people who take in children in need of a family and a home: but if Georgia becomes inundated with children who are unwanted or unable to be cared for, it will be hard to find great fostering for them all. ??
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
She posted something similar on her Instagram, using an even more fiery caption that started with, “I DON’T GIVE A FLYING F*** WHAT YOU THINK OF MY DECISION. MY BODY. MY CHOICE.”
In that post, she called the anti-abortion laws “essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist.” She said that “hurts my heart in so many different ways, and in particular as a rape victim. I can’t imagine having fallen pregnant and being FORCED BY LAW to carry his baby to term, and see someone who looked like him every day.”
It’s important to note that Georgia’s law does include exceptions for incest, rape and situations of medical futility or where the health of the mother is at risk. And the law, also known as HB 481, could not be used to prosecute women, though doctors could be for performing the procedure, a felony with a punishment of up to 99 years in prison. (The specifics are different in each state.)
While Jamil doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her choice, as stated, people were quick to weigh in. Of course there were critics:
And many didn’t like the way she worded her post.
I wouldn’t really say it’s a “best decision” it’s a choice you sadly have to make, it’s not something any girl should have to go through because it’s so traumatic but girls should have the right to have this choice. Wording it like that makes it sound like it’s something easy
— jodie. (@JM90x) May 14, 2019
But there was a lot of love and support for Jamil’s admission. One message came from Rose McGowan, who recently opened up about her own abortion.
Here are some others:
Currently pregnant with my very wanted 1st baby with loving husband. & it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve never been MORE pro choice than since I’ve been pregnant. I couldn’t imagine being pregnant under terrible circumstances and being forced to carry this out by law.
— Amy Adams (@Amy_Aileen) May 13, 2019
Thanks for normalizing! ??, a gyno
— Dr. Jenn Conti (@doctorjenn) May 14, 2019
Thanks for being brave enough to share this as you definitely didn’t owe it to us. It isn’t an easy choice to make for many women. Especially in the face of many nasty opinions.
— Laura (@LauraExplorer6) May 13, 2019
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