North Carolina Politicians Taking Ladies for a Ride

UPDATE (July 25, 2013): The #motorcyclevagina bill just passed the Senate and is on its way to the Governor. But North Carolinians still don’t want politicians meddling in health care decisions. It seems legislators still haven’t gotten the message, but the fight is not yet over. Tell Governor Pat McCrory to uphold his promises, #StandWithNCWomen, and veto the bill.

Despite opposition coming from all directions, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has said he will sign the #motorcyclevagina bill. So ladies, grab your helmets, and hold onto your reproductive rights. We’re going for a ride.

Where? First we’ll stop in Wisconsin and Texas, where sweeping anti-abortion restrictions were enacted earlier this month, adding to the growing list of states enacting laws intended to restrict access to abortion. And then we’ll head east, because North Carolina could soon join the ranks, if we don’t stop the infamous #motorcyclevagina bill (Jezebel is right: Sturgis could indeed be quite weird this year).

Let me be clear: being part of this tour is not an honor. So legislators, listen up: get yourself out of my doctor’s office. We may not all agree about abortion, but people with all different perspectives do not want politicians meddling in these deeply personal decisions.

Take, for example, the people of North Carolina, who last week voiced their disapproval of Governor McCrory when he initially announced he would sign the #motorcyclevagina bill (which even he had previously denounced on procedural grounds, and after he promised not to sign any bills that restrict women’s access to abortion). According to Public Policy Polling “For the first time since taking office we find that McCrory has a negative approval rating this month. Only 40% of voters are happy with the job he’s doing to 49% who disapprove. That’s down a net 15 points from June.”

Around the time the Governor’s ratings dropped, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the North Carolina Obstetrical and Gynecological Society reminded us just how wrong this bill is, stating “Both of these bills taken together have one purpose: To restrict the reproductive rights of women in North Carolina by interfering with the practice of medicine…”

And throughout the legislative processes, North Carolinians have spoken up and been explicitly clear that they Do. Not. Want. This. Bill.

Do politicians think we’re stupid? They must, if they think we don’t notice that their actions run contrary to prior pledges, oppose the will of the people, and ignore sound medical judgment.

Let’s remind them how wrong they are: we are smart, strong, and ready to fight these attacks on our rights. Show your support now and #StandWithNCWomen, but remember that North Carolina is not alone. This is happening all across the country, and we have to continue to #StandWithWomen to stop these law. Join us.

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