Youth Blog

On August 19th, Alyssa Milano released her newest podcast episode called Sorry not Sorry: My Abortion Story in which she spoke about her own abortion story as well as the stories of other women and men who have been affected by abortion.

In the podcast, Alyssa talks about how in 1993, at the age of 20, she had two abortions while on birth control. She had her abortion to keep her career on track and because she felt that she wasn't ready to be a mother. “It was not an easy choice. It was not something I wanted, but it was something that I needed — like most health care is,” she said.  A few months later, her birth control failed again and she had another abortion. Now, 26 years later and shouting her abortion, she claims that if she had carried those two babies to term, “I would not have my children (Milano has 2 children) — my beautiful, perfect, loving, kind and inquisitive children — who have a mother who was so very, very ready for them, I would not have my career. I would not have the ability or platform I use to fight against oppression with all my heart. I would never have met my amazing husband David, whose steadfast and immeasurable love for me sustains me through these terrifying times. Fifteen years after that first love had fizzled ( referring to her previous relationship that resulted in the two pregnancies), my life would be completely lacking all its great joys.”

She continued, “I would never had been free to be myself — and that’s what this fight is all about: freedom.” What Milano doesn't mention is that 26 years ago, she denied her two children any future they might have had, and denied their father any joy his children would have brought him.  This podcast was another way to promote the #shoutyourabortion movement and is a way for women to talk about the taboo topic of abortion while trying to normalize their decision. Her pride and joy in shouting her abortion are in stark contrast to Silent No More's ( a post-abortive healing group) approach, which encourages women to speak out and warn others of the emotional and physical pain of abortion by telling women their own personal story. By shouting her abortion, Milano not only encourages women in crisis to regard abortion as no big deal but to regard it as just another medical procedure. Her podcast does nothing to promote life or any option other than abortion and it does nothing to affirm or support the women that want to be mothers while pursuing their education or career.