Busy Philipps opens up about having an abortion: We need to be ‘sharing our stories more’

TV host Busy Philipps on Tuesday night revealed that she had an abortion at age 15 and encouraged other women and girls to share their stories more.

The host of E! Network’s “Busy Tonight” said that while her talk show typically shies away from overtly political discussion, she was spurred to tell her story after Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) became the latest state leader to sign a fetal “heartbeat” abortion ban.

{mosads}“Every woman deserves compassion and care, not judgment and interference, when it comes to their own bodies,” Philipps said on her show. “The statistic is one in four women will have an abortion before age 45. And that statistic sometimes surprises people and maybe you’re sitting there thinking ‘I don’t know a woman who would have an abortion.’ ”

“Well, you know me,” she continued. “I had an abortion when I was 15 years old. And I’m telling you this because I’m genuinely scared for women and girls all over this country and I think that we all need to be talking more and sharing our stories more.”

“So, let’s talk about the Met Gala,” Philipps added. “Is that a hard left turn? Is it kind of jarring? Yes, it is also kind of jarring. But guess what? That’s what being a f—ing woman is. Having a regular Tuesday and then suddenly be reminded that people are trying to police your body. And then you just have to go back to work.”

I spoke about my abortion on my show tonight because I can not sit idly by while women’s rights are stripped away. https://t.co/Vk4kh4ZBJq

— Busy Philipps (@BusyPhilipps) May 7, 2019

The actress sharply criticized Georgia’s legislation, which bans abortions once a fetus has a detectable heartbeat, which generally occurs approximately six weeks of pregnancy. Philipps noted that is before many women even know they are pregnant. 

Similar fetal heartbeat bills have been signed by Republican governors in Ohio, Kentucky and Mississippi this year, and others are advancing in states including Louisiana and South Carolina.

“Here is the reality — and we know this from before Roe v. Wade was passed — no bill that criminalizes abortion will stop anyone from making this incredibly personal choice. But these laws will put more women at risk,” Philipps said.

Women in Georgia may still receive an abortion if the pregnancy is believed to be “medically futile,” according to Georgia Public Broadcasting. Exceptions will also be granted to a woman whose life is at risk and if a police report has been filed related to rape or incest.

Planned Parenthood on Tuesday vowed to sue Georgia over the legislation and work to remove GOP lawmakers who voted for it in future elections.