When I first heard the decision handed down by SCOTUS to allow Hobby Lobby as well as 2 other companies to be exempt from providing birth control by citing a violation of their religious freedom, I really wanted to just rant; to grab my keyboard and attack with all the ferocity I possess. Then, because in this rant, I didn’t want to make an ass out of myself, I decided to do some research so I could at least looked pissed off AND educated. And can I tell you, what really surprised me wasn’t thew decision in itself, but the condescending way supporters of the decision were defending it like it’s no big deal.

“oh yeah, it’s not really a big deal, just forcing my beliefs on everyone that works for me”

This article by Forbes supports this mentality, using statistics that show, sure, most people (because remember, corporations are considered people*) still fully fund birth control. (about 88% of their respondents from a pool of 779 closely owned private corporations)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2014/06/30/scotus-hobby-lobby-ruling-means-little-to-9-in-10-employers-already-providing-contraceptive-coverage/

While I cannot be sure exactly how many closely owned private corporations there are in the US, something tells me there are more…so this data can only be accurate to a point.

But what makes this a big deal, is (according to this article) that one out of ten closely held private corporations put their faith (or some other factor) in front of my well being.

Let me list a random assortment of situations…

1. I’m a young woman suffering from any of these conditions (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Endometriosis, Acne, amenorrhea**) who was prescribed birth control by my doctor to help control symptoms, raise estrogen levels, and make my life less painful. Now I have to find other (maybe multiple) medication(s) that may cost more than I’m paying for my birth control.

2. I’m a woman in a destructive relationship trying desperately not to get pregnant. I am trying to leave, but my husband wants a baby to secure the relationship. Now I’ll have to jump through hoops to find a way to keep myself (and my future children) safe.

3. I’m a sexually active woman (because I am free to be that way) who wants to do the responsible thing and protect myself from unwanted pregnancies and the possibility of abortions (because thanks again to SCOTUS, I can now be harassed right up until the very second I walk into the door of an abortion clinic).

4. I’m a mother who knows my daughter is sexually active. I want her to be safe, but now, I’m helpless to even provide that safety unless I’m willing to jump through hoops)

5. I had a kid a few years ago after a rape (because I don’t believe in abortion) and gave it up for adoption. I know I don’t want more kids for a few years, but I love sex with my new husband. All I want is an IUD, but I can’t get one now. I don’t know if I’m emotionally ready for a pregnancy yet.

I could keep going on and on and on. But I won’t.

I get it, Hobby Lobby, you don’t like abortion. Honestly, I’m not a fan of it myself.

In fact, I can almost guarantee that no one goes into any pregnancy saying “Man, I can’t wait for that abortion.”

Birth control is there for a reason. Birth control lets anyone (including happily married couples who were abstinent up until their wedding night) control their lives and the growth of their family. They say there is never a “good” time to have a child, but there are definitely “better” times.

God bless the woman who has the good sense to say, “I should definitely be on birth control, because I can’t afford/handle/have time for a baby right now.”

Now, I know your solution is, “don’t have sex”, but please, WAKE UP. The unfortunate fact is it is happening, and happening younger and younger. As a high school teacher, I worry daily for my students that I know (from their own mouths) are sexually active (at ages as young as 14). And I am helpless to do a damn thing except PRAY that they had the good sense to buy condoms and get on birth control. I’m not their parent, and frankly, neither are you.

My sex life is not about you and what you believe. My sex life is about me and what I believe. I’m not going to come into work and put it on blast, I swear. But now, with this decision, you have been allowed to put your religion “on blast” in terms of my healthcare.

Thankfully, I don’t have to work for your company, but we are all too familiar with this economy, and let’s face it, a job is a job. How many women will now have to think about where they can work that both supports their family and their rights?

One is too many.