It's a rare pro-lifer who is against the death penalty, who's against all war, who favors, you know, all the things people need to flourish and stay healthy in life. They've tied themselves to the Republican Party, which doesn't support any of that. Katha Pollitt deathfavorflourish share on social
If you have been vaccinated for polio, mumps, measles, chicken pox, hepatitis, or rabies, it may be too late for you to stand your ethical ground: You have already benefited from fetal-tissue research. This is, after all, a practice that's been legal since the 1930s. Katha Pollitt 1930sbenefitchicken share on social
Coming out was crucial to changing attitudes about gays and lesbians: will people feel differently about abortion if they know their mother, their aunt, or their friend had one? Katha Pollitt abortionattitudeaunt Change image and share on social
A potential person is not a person, any more than an acorn is an oak tree. I don't think women should have to give birth just because a sperm met an egg. Katha Pollitt acornbirthegg Change image and share on social
We want to make sure that women have a way to use all their gifts in society, to get educated, to be all they can be in the workforce, to really develop as people in all the ways that they can. We want this for men too! And we want this for children. Well this can't happen if this can be sandbagged by an ill-timed and unwanted pregnancy. Katha Pollitt childdevelopeducate share on social
Women have to control their fertility for 30 years. Thirty years is a long time not to make mistakes. Katha Pollitt controlfertilitylong Change image and share on social
In our culture, the shame about accidental pregnancy is inextricable from the shame about having had sex. That disapproval of sex is one reason our record with contraception is so poor. If you're not supposed to be sexual, you don't plan for sex. You cross your fingers and hope for the best. Katha Pollitt accidentalcontraceptioncross share on social
Women who give up their children for adoption are years and years later talking about how painful it was, much more than women who have abortions. Katha Pollitt abortionadoptionchild Change image and share on social
Most Americans probably have no idea how hostile anti-abortion sidewalk counseling outside clinics can be. There's a reason pro-choicers volunteer to escort patients as they make their way past angry crowds to the clinic door. Katha Pollitt abortionamericanangry share on social
I put out a call on Twitter and Facebook and email for women to tell me their stories about their abortions. And many women said, 'I told my boyfriend I was pregnant, and that was the last I ever heard of them.' Katha Pollitt abortionboyfriendcall share on social