Letter to Mayor Sharon Shepherd (Kelowna, BC)

A follow up from my blog post here, I have recently found out that Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd has issued an anti-choice proclamation. (See here and here). This is the letter I have sent her:

October 14, 2011

Dear Mayor Sharon Shepherd

RE: 4^th Consecutive “Protect Human Life” (Pro-life) Proclamation

I am writing as a woman who currently lives in Edmonton but who lived in Kelowna from 1993 until 2006. Specifically, I am writing as someone who lived in Kelowna at 14 years of age, and found herself facing an unplanned pregnancy.

Before I begin my story, I would like to say that I am deeply saddened by your proclamation, while also understanding that you are in a difficult position. I lived in Kelowna when the previous Mayor refused to issue an LGBT Pride proclamation. I do not know your own personal opinions on reproductive choices, but I do know that at one point you stated you would be issuing more proclamations, perhaps so that you would be able to tackle homo/bi/transphobic responses to your commitment to diversity.

As well, before I explain the importance of reproductive choice in my own life, I would like to say that I voted for you because I believed you cared about issues affecting women and other marginalized populations. Unlike many other public officials, I saw you regularly support not for profits and challenge the status quo. I saw you as a caring Mayor, and I still do.

Which is why your continual “Protect Human Life” proclamation upsets me.

When I was 14 years old, I went to Kelowna Secondary School at the old site (on Harvey Avenue). Fearing I might be pregnant, I went to the walk in clinic immediately beside the high school where I am sure many other teenagers went to find out if they were pregnant. My worst fears were confirmed. I know that a number of girls and women face similar situations, and have a variety of experiences (and make different choices), but when I was told that I was pregnant by the doctor, I knew right there and then that I needed to have an abortion. I expressed this and the doctor told me that abortion was unavailable and illegal in Canada. He handed me a list of OB/GYN doctors and went on to his next patient. I was devastated.

I spent a lot of time thinking about various options, and believe my desire to terminate the pregnancy was an informed choice (other than being lied to by the doctor). I thought long and hard about parenting and adoption, and investigated and weighed each option. I thought about what would be best for me, and my pregnancy. Still, I believed (and still believe) that abortion was the right option for me.

As abortions were not available in Kelowna at the time, and because I had been lied to by the walk in clinic doctor, I tried to abort myself. I drank alcohol until I passed out. I hit myself in the stomach, leaving bruises. I tried inserting objects into my cervix. The physical pain was great, yet still did not match the emotional pain I experienced at being forced to carry a pregnancy I did not want.

As a 14 year old, I did not know that there were places I could go to receive all options. So instead, I called local“pro-life” agencies which instilled in me that abortion was immoral and dangerous. Since I so desperately wanted to end my pregnancy I believed I too was immoral and attempted on numerous occasions to kill myself.

Eventually, through the Yellow Pages I learned that the doctor at the walk in clinic had in fact lied to me, and that abortion services were available in Vancouver. Unfortunately, as I did not receive this option (amongst all pregnancy options) I had to have a second trimester abortion. This involved a doctor inserting something into my cervix the night before the procedure. It was, however, less painful than my own attempts at abortion.

I had my abortion at a clinic surrounded by protesters who called me a murderer. Adults yelled at a scared teenager as I crossed the picket line.

Was I a murderer? An evil, immoral person? Did I deserve the verbal abuse and physical intimidation? For years, I thought I did. Thus, I attempted suicide many more times, not because I wasn't confident in my choice to abort my pregnancy, but because the protesters', Kelowna “pro-life” agencies' and doctor's voices filled my head.

Next year, you will likely be asked to proclaim “Protect Human Life” week which reads “It is the intention of this proclamation to promote respect and protection of all human life, especially the infirm, the aged, the handicapped and the unborn.”

I only ask that when you are presented with this request that you question whether I, as a pregnant 14 year old, also deserved to live.

Sincerely,

(name and address removed because it is the internet silly!)