tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77175392801652988212024-02-07T05:39:47.481-08:00The Abortion MonologuesA pro-choice blog companion to the play "The Abortion Monologues." The play is available in e-book format from Amazon. This blog is now archival. For information on the author or for the rights to produce the play, go to www.janecawthorne.comJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-81360018250783646172013-05-29T14:26:00.001-07:002013-05-29T15:10:21.106-07:00Rest In Peace, Dr. MorgentalerDr. Henry Morgentaler died today. I don't write in this blog much at all anymore. I'm working on another project and had to set this aside. But the loss of this great man requires a few words. I need to take a moment to pay my respects.
Because of Dr. Morgentaler, I am a free woman. I have the right to decide what happens to my own body and I have the right to live and act according to my own Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-54747172768708156652013-02-21T13:32:00.002-08:002013-02-21T13:32:39.350-08:00MovingI'm moving. In the virtual world, I'm moving to a new web page. Come and visit me at www.janecawthorne.com.
Compared to this site, it's still pretty sparse, but over time, I'm going to shift some of this content and just live over at the new place.
Thanks to everyone who has visited me here. You can still reach me at my contact page here, or by emailing contact@abortionmonologues.com. Or you Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-33187631801467460292013-01-28T02:11:00.000-08:002013-01-28T02:11:34.370-08:00Thoughts on the 25th Anniversary of the Morgentaler Decision
Twenty five years ago, the Supreme Court of
Canada struck down Canada’s law on abortion, finding it violated a woman’s
right to life, liberty and security of the person. Canada's experience with the
decriminalization of abortion proves that women can be trusted to make decisions
regarding our lives, health and families without State interference or the threat
of criminal sanction.
DrJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-91499584095460358752013-01-15T13:27:00.003-08:002013-01-15T13:28:37.058-08:00The Morgentaler DecisionThe 25th anniversary of the Morgentaler Decision is almost upon us, and the tributes are beginning to surface. I want to share a few with you. Have a look at the Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada's tribute to Dr. Morgentaler and leave a message if you are so inspired. Joyce Arthur of ARCC has also written some great stuff lately on the benefits of decriminalization.
When I am thinking about Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-34151827609210622722012-11-16T07:37:00.001-08:002012-11-16T07:59:49.737-08:00What Happens When Women Can't Access Abortion?When women can't access abortion, sometimes they die. It's that simple. The recent case of Salvita Halappanavar, the Irish woman who suffered and died while a hospital refused to complete a miscarriage in progress because there was still a fetal heartbeat tragically underlines this possibility. Her death highlights what happens when health policy is dictated by religion, not Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-6821748988936703632012-11-06T14:57:00.001-08:002012-11-06T14:58:01.150-08:00Review from VernonThey say never to read your reviews, and I obviously don't do it too often. This is a review from a production that happened months ago, in Vernon BC. I finally read it today. It's really pretty good, and I wanted to share it with you.
Of course, we always like our good reviews, and again I have to thank Jessika LaFramboise and the cast and crew of this production at the Hub Arts Collective forJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-83103656070625650842012-11-06T13:58:00.000-08:002012-11-06T13:58:16.291-08:00Video Clips from Missoula, MontanaThe fine people at the Blue Mountain Clinic in Missoula, Montana staged a production of The Abortion Monologues on November 1, 2012. These four video clips capture a little of the night. I want to thank everyone involved in the production for their hard work in bringing my words to life so beautifully. There was lots of money and awareness raised. It warms my heart. It really does. Enjoy the Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-33955601304656431402012-10-30T07:29:00.000-07:002012-10-30T08:03:11.343-07:00How to Change Minds and Save WomenThis morning, I read this remarkable blog post by a woman who used to be "pro-life" and has denounced the movement. It's very long, but so worth the read.
Libby Anne describes how she grew up in the pro-life movement, and in so many words, how her education was circumscribed by it. Out in the larger world during her sophmore year at college, she came across an article in the New York TimesJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-24474525842676233782012-10-02T13:15:00.001-07:002012-10-02T15:51:05.362-07:00Thoughts on Sex Selection and Abortion
After their defeat with Motion 312, the back door attempt to criminalize abortion, the antis are apparently trying again. They are introducing a motion to condemn sex selection, and I would imagine, in doing so, they aim to ban abortion in cases of sex selection. Again, they are stepping way back in the process so the motion seems innocuous. But is it? They think they have found the feminist Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-3401773770579783372012-09-26T05:53:00.001-07:002012-09-26T05:59:01.983-07:00M 312 and Jason Kenney: What Kind of Fuckery is This?In the immortal words of Amy Winehouse, "What kind of fuckery is this?"
I don't think this blog has left any stone unturned in M312 Shenanigans, but since today is the vote, something must be said to mark the occasion.
We know that Stephen Harper uses the rights of women as a bargaining chip to speak to his base. This is clear. We know that the Conservatives say one thing and do another, and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-86908665730391483672012-09-14T14:54:00.003-07:002012-09-14T14:54:49.456-07:00Notable Canadian Women Oppose Motion 312I'm one of a whack of "notable Canadian women" who have signed an open letter opposing Motion 312. You can see it here. I can't tell you how happy I am to be on the same list as women such as Maureen McTeer, Abby Lippman, Penny Kome, Judy Rebick, Heather Mallick and so many others who have inspired me for so many years. This made my day.
But we all know, any woman could sign that letter, and ofJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-12909938430278327602012-09-12T14:37:00.002-07:002012-09-12T14:38:59.697-07:00Misogynists: Extremely Loud and Incredibly CloseThat's how I feel about a certain segment of Americans and their misogynist blathering these days. It's too loud and it's too close. It hurts my ears, my head and my heart.
Their woman hating ways are bound to have an impact on Canada. It is still too soon to say what that impact is going to be. The impact might be positive, affirming of women's rights and equality. I think that Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-44285415091800739792012-08-28T10:09:00.001-07:002012-08-31T04:47:36.475-07:00Consequences of Unsafe AbortionThere is a special supplement out of the International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics dealing with the consequences of unsafe abortion that we can all add to our reading lists.
Unfortunately, before long, we'll be able to do a study of the impact of unsafe abortion in the United States, I suspect, as abortion becomes increasingly difficult to access with new draconian and Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-67255921448918110742012-08-16T08:22:00.000-07:002012-08-16T08:22:25.756-07:00The good and the bad - Vernon show and Motion 312
This should probably be two blog posts, but here goes.
Here's a little press from the upcoming Vernon show from the Vernon Morning Star. Nice to see, in spite of the fact they got my name wrong. Maybe I'll be June for the rest of the month and see what that's like.
It might not be a bad idea. Being someone else is sometimes appealing, especially when the going gets rough. I won't Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-13642298709308809972012-08-09T15:05:00.004-07:002012-08-09T15:05:47.813-07:00This Is My BodyThere is a great new campaign, This Is My Body, originating in the US with this fantastic video. Now it has a Canadian counterpart. This is one to watch.
I'd like to dedicate a monologue to the infamous members of the secretive pro-life caucus. Yes, that means you, MPs Woodworth, Trost, Kenney, et al. This is MY BODY, NOT YOURS. When will they get it?
This is a great time to Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-31215607256108328062012-07-30T04:04:00.002-07:002012-08-03T13:43:37.115-07:00M312 UpdateSame old, same old. The fetus fetishists are still at it and cluttering up Twitter with their attempt to criminalize abortion and the women who have abortions. There is a good post from the unrepentant old hippy which is worth a read. The hippie makes some excellent points, especially around what the "real goals" of "reopening the debate" are. Don't be fooled for a minute: the only people Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-70316378851266240072012-07-16T13:18:00.003-07:002012-07-16T13:21:21.874-07:00The Abortion Monologues in Vernon BCGreat to see that theatre86presents is putting on The Abortion Monologues in Vernon, BC. Look for it August 23-25th at The Hub Arts Collective.
Why not add a little reproductive rights theatre to your summer?
Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-85115607910032408622012-07-09T02:51:00.002-07:002012-07-16T13:20:50.758-07:00M 312 newsI'm on vacation and took a moment with some rare Internet access to check in on M 312 and the state of abortion politics. It looks as though the big anti choice crapavan ended with a whimper and not a bang in Ottawa on July 1. From what I understand, the fetus mobile was no where to be seen.
I checked in with Dammitjanet's blog http://scathinglywrongrightwingnutz.blogspot.com/ (sorry, can't seemJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-51977399555882534052012-06-30T08:12:00.002-07:002012-06-30T08:12:31.409-07:00Climenhaga exposes more Wildrose Anti-Choice shenanigansIn a great post on his blog, Alberta Diary, David Climenhaga exposes more Wildrose shenanigans about abortion. Kevin Kinahan, former candidate in Lethbridge-West has been explicitly anti-choice in the past, calling for an end to funding abortion. Have a look at Climenhaga's excellent post here. My thanks to David for continuing to dig, even after the election is over.
Both Wildrose and the Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-58398085746760267122012-06-22T16:11:00.000-07:002012-06-22T16:22:03.476-07:00The delay of M-312: What does it mean?In my ongoing series on what to expect while we’re expecting
Motion 312, here is some more information, specifically about the delay in the
second hour of debate and the vote.
You will recall that the second hour of debate had been
scheduled for June 7 with a vote for June 13. All indicators were
that this motion was an embarrassment to the government and Mr. Woodworth’s
attempt to Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-60602633348774240732012-06-19T11:37:00.001-07:002012-06-19T12:37:51.019-07:00Misrepresenting Amy Tan and Misrepresenting ChoiceI'm doing some research for an essay that is taking me to some strange places, like Andrea Mrozek's ProWomanProLife blog. I couldn't help noticing that Mrozek listed a quote from the wonderful writer Amy Tan on mothering. This is the content of the post for May 29:
"Amy Tan is the author of The Joy Luck Club among other books. I found this quote by her and rather liked it:
I love my daughter. Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-9534052985913311192012-06-15T11:53:00.000-07:002012-06-15T14:27:48.875-07:00Democracy is as Dead as Monty Python's ParrotToday, I wish to register a complaint. Democracy is dead. I know a dead democracy when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now. It's not stunned. It's not pining for the Fjords, it's not just tired and shagged out after a long squawk. It's dead. It has been nailed to it's perch since Harper got away with proroguing Parliament. Twice. But now there is no denying&Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-28291457784349772592012-06-09T11:08:00.004-07:002012-06-09T11:11:10.808-07:00Responding to the CrapavanOur friend Joyce Arthur at Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada and I just wrote a piece about responding to the newest crazy tactic of the anti-choicers. They've taken the fetus mobile onto the TransCanada, away from its usual home in Calgary and maybe to a city near you.
Have a look at the article here, and consider it today's blog post.
Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-59579547424743981362012-06-06T04:33:00.000-07:002012-06-22T15:31:00.229-07:00M-312 showdown on the HillAccording to the Globe and Mail today, a vote for Motion 312 is a vote against the PM. Harsh words. What will the simpering fetus fetishists do? Will they risk the ire of the PM and a permanent place in the backbenches? Or will they fight for the fetuses? It will be a while until we know since despite the PM's assurances that he wants this issue gone, the next hour of debate and the vote areJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-41384678451748118392012-06-05T20:22:00.001-07:002012-06-05T20:22:28.604-07:00Motion M 312 debate and vote delayedI'm not too sure what the story is yet, but it looks like the second hour of debate and the vote for M-312 are going to be delayed until the fall. ARCC and the Radical Handmaids seem to have the word on this. Check their websites for more.
We can only hope it's because the CONs decided to use the time to debate the Omnibus Bill. Ha! Good one. I crack myself up sometimes. Honestly, why do Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0