‘The Good Place’s’ Jameela Jamil discusses her abortion in statement blasting Georgia law
British actress Jameela Jamil on Monday blasted a newly-signed Georgia law outlawing abortion at six weeks and disclosed her own abortion.
“This anti-abortion law in Georgia is so upsetting, inhumane, and blatantly demonstrative of a hatred of women, a disregard for our rights, bodies, mental health, and essentially a punishment for rape victims, forcing to carry the baby of their rapist,” Jamil, who plays Tahani Al-Jamil on the NBC fantasy sitcom “The Good Place,” tweeted Monday. Jamil went on to say she had had an abortion when she was young, calling it the “best decision I have ever made” and warning that the state law would lead to an increase in children in foster homes and “lives ruined.”
I had an abortion when I was young, and it was the best decision I have ever made. Both for me, and for the baby I didn’t want, and wasn’t ready for, emotionally, psychologically and financially. So many children will end up in foster homes. So many lives ruined. So very cruel.
— Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
{mosads}The actress clarified that while foster homes perform a vital service, a large influx in unplanned children was likely to overwhelm the foster system.
Ps.. this isn’t any diss at ALL to foster homes. I’m in awe of people who take in children in need of a family and a home: but if Georgia becomes inundated with children who are unwanted or unable to be cared for, it will be hard to find great fostering for them all. ❤️
— Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamil) May 13, 2019
Jamil’s tweets follow a statement last week by actress and TV host Busy Phillips revealing that she had an abortion at age 15, saying the Georgia law had inspired her to come forward.
“Every woman deserves compassion and care, not judgment and interference, when it comes to their own bodies,” Philipps said on her show, “Busy Tonight.”
The legislation, signed by Gov. Brian Kemp (R) last week, bans abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detectable. The Republican governors of Ohio, Kentucky and Mississippi have signed similar bills into law this year.
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