On February 20th VOX at UCF, with the support of the 1 in 3 campaign and Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando, are hosting an abortion speakout.
According to the 1 in 3 Campaign, "abortion speakouts are an opportunity for people to share their abortion stories in a public space." These speakouts are meant to start conversations at the ground level and work to chip away at the stigmas centered around abortion.
The first documented speakout in the U.S. was organized in 1969 by the feminist group Redstockings. The group interrupted a legislative hearing on abortion that featured 12 men and one Catholic nun, and demanded that the legislators listen to the voices of women*. One month later the Redstockings organized a public speak out where hundreds of women* attended and shared their experiences with illegal abortion. This was one of the actions that paved the way toward legalizing abortion in the United States.
This event is meant to be empowering and a safe space to talk about one's own experience. For those attending the speakout, the following guidelines will apply:
• Only people who have had abortions may speak
• There is not a list of planned speakers, those who wish to speak may approach the podium whenever they feel ready
• Accessible seating is reserved for speakers and their support people in the front audience
• Speakers may bring a support person or group up on stage with them but the support people are asked not to speak
• Speakers are asked to focus on their own personal experience and are asked to not reference other speakers stories
• Use I statements and avoid making generalizations and assumptions about others' experiences
• Please do not comment or engage in dialogue with any speakers about their story
• Please save all applause until the end of the event
• Out of respect for speakers privacy, no photography, liveblogging, audio/video recording or note taking unless requested by the speaker
We hope you join us for this night of story telling as we take a stand in changing the story and stigmas about abortions.
*While the category "woman" was assumed in and critical to the historical narrative we discuss here, VOX at UCF recognizes that not only women, but people of all genders, experience abortion.
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