EARLIER THIS MONTH, Mississippi did something somewhat surprising: It rejected a “personhood” amendment to its state constitution that would have granted human eggs, from the moment of fertilization, the same rights as an actual person. The amendment, challenging Roe v. Wade, would have criminalized abortion along with contraceptives like IUDs and the morning-after pill.
But the measure, despite its defeat, received a fury of national attention. And guess where its backers—Personhood USA—are turning next? Oregon.
“I definitely think we can get it on the 2012 ballot,” says Jennifer Mason, a spokeswoman of Personhood USA.
Mason says Oregon operatives are working to collect the 1,000 supportive signatures they’ll need to turn in to the Oregon Attorney General’s office by spring. Five other states, including California, are looking toward a similar amendment.
Just three years old, Personhood USA is a self-titled grassroots organization made up of young campaigners who are prepared to fight. Hard.
“We’re up against one of the largest anti-family and deceptive organizations in the US, Planned Parenthood,” says Mason. “But because we’re talking about human life here, we won’t quit until we win.”
However, not all anti-abortion groups are on board with Personhood USA’s motives or tactics.
“This is very different than just a measure banning abortions, it’s more a statement,” says Gayle Atteberry of Oregon Right to Life (ORL), the state’s leading anti-abortion organization. “It’s not necessarily the thought process of every pro-lifer.”
Atteberry says that running a ballot measure is both expensive and hard work—something ORL would only commit to if they were fully behind the issue. “There are a lot of things we would rather spend money and time on.”
Following ultra-conservative Mississippi, Oregon may seem like an unlikely target. But Oregon remains one of a handful of states without any major abortion restrictions—such as waiting periods or parental consent.
Jimmy Radosta of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon says some anti-abortion advocates might see a “personhood” amendment as an end-run around the state’s traditional resistance to abortion limits.
Radosta also points to the looming presidential race as another reason the issue has gained national traction. Personhood USA eventually wants a federal amendment. Currently, 63 Republicans in the US House are cosponsors of the “Sanctity of Human Life Act,” a measure that closely resembles the personhood amendment. While it’s far from cemented, any support at the national level is frightening, Radosta says.
But if the measure didn’t pass in conservative Mississippi… it seems like a stretch to actually make in Oregon.
“We still can’t take it lightly, though,” says Radosta. “You never know what can happen during an election year.”
Radosta also says Planned Parenthood is prepared to put up a fight if the measure makes it on Oregon’s 2012 ballot.
“These amendments are very dangerous,” says Radosta. “What they’re really doing is reframing the entire Roe v. Wade issue. It’s deeply troubling.”
Stay the fuck out of my uterus’s business.
Man, these filthy sneaky-ass christians are always scheming up new ways to FUCK with people!
Alex: Thanks for one of the more balanced articles I’ve read on the issue. Me personally, I think being against killing babies is sort of like being against slavery or stomping on puppies. Sort of a minimal requirement to be considered “civilized”. And a fetus is a baby, is a person. If one denies that he denies science and God given common sense.
One error in your article I’m compelled to point out was your statement that personhood legislation “…would have granted human eggs, from the moment of fertilization…” FYI, (and this is biology 101), the human female Gamete is better referred to as an ovum and not a egg. And upon fertilization it’s no longer an ovum, (nor an egg). So these efforts have nothing to do with eggs. I hope you’ll continue to follow this exciting political movement!
That’s right, sluts! If you try to have sex, you’re going to get punished with babies, now get back in the kitchen!
DRM – I’d love to hear your explanation of how “A fetus is a baby, is a person,” is “science”. In fact, I’d love to hear your definition of science, because I’m getting a whif of cognitive dissonance there! Also, “ovum” is just the latin word for egg. It’s the same thing. Ovum sounds cooler, but egg is perfectly acceptable in this context., since this is a blog post from an alternative weekly and not an international science journal.
“I think being against killing babies is sort of like being against slavery or stomping on puppies.”
You should do less thinking, you seem to have a hard time with it.
Personally, I’m in favor of slavery and stomping puppies (kittens, too), but against killing fetuses. Abortion is just immoral.