Woman Forced To Disguise Herself To Walk Past Planned Parenthood Clinic
She dressed 'like a boy' to avoid harassment outside the sexual healthcare centre.
A woman has told how she was forced to disguise herself in order to walk past a Planned Parenthood clinic in the US.
The woman, who goes by @keelieudards on TikTok, explained how she 'dressed 'like a boy' to avoid harassment outside the sexual healthcare centre.
Kellie filmed herself walking past the clinic in an unidentified area, in which there were a group of pro-life protestors standing outside holding makeshift signs.
"Planned Parenthood hack: dress like a boy so they don't harass you", she wrote on the video, wearing a baseball hat, black hoodie and khaki jacket.
Check out the video here:
Whilst many onlookers of the video found her hack to be 'genius', many were saddened that Kellie had to go to such lengths to avoid unwanted comments from the group of protestors.
"Smart, but no one should have to do this," one social media user wrote.
Another shared the same view, penning underneath the video: "the fact that y'all have to do this".
"this is so sad but so brilliant," Alexandra commented.
"Absolutely genius. But also so sad that it's necessary," another shared.
"that's genius actually," Shari said.
Sommer added: "Great idea. Unfortunate that it's needed...."
"Modern problems require modern solutions," Anisa said.
Meanwhile, other users sympathised with the video's creator, with one user sharing how upon getting birth control, protestors harassed her.
"when i went to get an iud and the PROLIFE ppl were shouting DEATH threats at at me [sic]," one user shared.
"Ours does not even do abortions. None in our area do. They are literally a low cost gyno helping people who can't afford a baby not get pregnant," a different commenter wrote.
Kellie explained that while she 'didn't go into the building' she decided to share the tip for those who require care from the centre.
"gotta clarify i didn't go into the building, simply walked by. but i'd imagine it works for those entering it too [sic]," she commented.
Historically, women who seek reproductive healthcare in the US have been the target of abuse and harassment outside medical centres from some pro-life and religious groups, with abuse still continuing today for women in the country.
Popular TV programmes like Grey's Anatomy and 13 Reasons Why have also depicted this phenomenon in an attempt to break down the stigma surrounding abortion.
In the US, the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), makes it a criminal offence for people to intimidate or use physical force against those entering a reproductive healthcare centre or place of worship.
Each state has a different set of rules but California, New York and Washington have adopted versions of the FACE law. Meanwhile, 11 states including California, New York, Washington and Minnesota, have made it illegal to obstruct the entrance to such clinics.
Six states have adopted the law that prohibits protestors from making threats toward patients and clinic staff, while Maine and Washington have banned such harassment over the phone.
Planned Parenthood is a not-for-profit organisation that "delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education and information to millions of people worldwide".
Featured Image Credit:Topics: News, Sex & Relationships, planned parenthood, abortion
Gabriella Ferlita