In the wake of so many states passing restrictive abortion legislation, women are speaking out about their abortions. On her show, actor and late night host Busy Philipps brought up her abortion and started a hashtag for women who think they don’t know anyone who’s had one: #YouKnowMe. Women who’d never talked about their abortions shared their stories on social media, to make the point that there a zillion different reasons a woman might choose an abortion, and all of them are valid. Abortion is a personal choice, and a woman’s body should be her own.

One woman named Brie (@meowmeowmeow07) tweeted about her own abortion at the age of 17 after her very scary ex-boyfriend tried to trap her into staying with him by getting her pregnant. In a thread of 10 tweets, Brie explained that this horrible guy had poked a hole into a condom the second time they had sex.

When I was 17 years old, I had a boyfriend. The second time we ever had sex, he poked a hole into his condom behind my back. This resulted in my pregnancy.



I was 17 years old. I was terrified. After a store bought pregnancy test showed I was positive I went to my boyfriends (1) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

screamed with glee and told me that he had intentionally gotten me pregnant so he could “lock me in” because he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I was confused & scared. I didn’t know how to act. I was 17 years old. My friend urged me to go to a women’s clinic (2) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

The first “clinic” Brie went to was owned by Christians, who tried to guilt her into keeping the baby.

to make sure. Little did we know that this “women’s clinic” was owned by Christians. They proceeded to tell me that if I killed my baby, I would be a murderer, and murderers go to hell. I was 17 years old. My friend took my hand and dragged me out of that clinic (3) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

In order for me to get the procedure as a 17 year old without parental consent, I had to go in front of a judge who would grant me my rights to an abortion as long as I wasn’t using it as a means for birth control. I was granted my rights. I took the day off of school and my(4) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

Brie pointed out that the procedure was neither brutal nor inhumane, because there was no “baby,” just an embryo.

friend drove me to the abortion clinic. This procedure took all of 5 minutes. There was no baby to remove and dismantle. There wasn’t even a fetus. It was an embryo that took 5 minutes and no blood shed to remove. I went home and through confusion, a lot of tears and pure (5) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

support from my friend, I tried to continue on with my 17 year old life. Shortly after I had time to think about what had actually happened, I broke up with him. He proceeded to pull a knife on me, but he cut his wrists instead. He said if he can’t have me, he doesn’t want (6) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

to live. I was 17 years old. My parents who found out about my abortion and what he had done to me banned him from my house. For 10 years after, he stalked me. He showed up at my work. He knew how to get my new cell phone number I constantly had to change because of him. (7) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

She broke up with the manipulative boyfriend, who proceeded to stalk her for the next 10 years. She is understandably so happy that she didn’t have to have a child with this unstable person.

It was only when the police arrested him for stalking that he left me alone. I thank God everyday that I don’t have his child. That he wasn’t allowed to “lock me in.” He is a psychopath and I would hate myself if I had brought an actual living and breathing child into this (8) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

world with him as their father. I believe he would have killed us. I’ve never spoken on this publicly. It has caused me pain and embarrassment, but if my story helps one person out there, then that means more to me than my pain. This is bigger than I am. (9) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

She concluded the thread by giving some words of encouragement to women who are and who will be affected by this new abominable legislation:

To the girls and women in Ohio, Georgia and Alabama and more states to come, I am with you. I will never stop fighting for your rights as a HUMAN. Stay strong and never be ashamed of who you are and what you do with your own body. (10) — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 15, 2019

Her thread prompted women to relate the stories of their abortions.

when I was 17,I got pregnant.not intentionally, but https://t.co/o9oU4NaUGi then boyfriend wanted me to keep the baby,but left the decision to me.I knew I wasn’t ready,so I had an abortion.2 friends of mine drove me to the clinic(2 hour’s way)and back.they cared for me and just — Sin Azúcar (@LAguja44) May 17, 2019

were there.until today,now being 48, I know it was the right thing to do.I wouldn’t have been able to care for a child the way it should be and having my own mother setting a not-so-good example for what happens if you’re not ready to have a child,I knew what was coming at me. — Sin Azúcar (@LAguja44) May 17, 2019

meanwhile,I have two wonderful sons,13 and 8yo,whom we welcomed when I was 35 and 39, respectively,and when I compare myself with the person I was,being 17-I definitely made the right choice. — Sin Azúcar (@LAguja44) May 17, 2019

When my mom was 15 she was raped by a neighbor. Thankfully she was able to have an abortion. My grandma was very against it. But took her anyways because my grandma didnt want to be the one raising that child. — Jodi Hargrove (@zaedyns_mommy16) May 17, 2019

I got pregnant by a man at 19…he was no good…later I would find out he had multiple bm’s and warrants, police came to me looking for him. Thank God the clinic I went to was friendly and comforting. Ended up being a molar pregnancy (no fetus), but at least I had a choice! — Jessann (@JessannReece) May 17, 2019

One woman shared that she’d actually gone through something similar, but that she kept the baby. She did not, however, judge Brie for her choice, instead saying that she supported every woman’s right to come to her own decision.

Omg! When I was 15, my abusive ex also intentionally impregnated me. Told everyone he did it on purpose so that no one else would want me ? She’s 10 now, and i love her dearly! He’s off somewhere not paying child support or contributing to her life what-so-ever. — Me✨ (@MarissaAnnYO) May 16, 2019

& while I did not personally chose to have an abortion, I would NEVER try to make that choice for another girl, teenager or woman. — Me✨ (@MarissaAnnYO) May 16, 2019

And another person gave kudos to Brie’s awesome friend, who stayed by her side through the trip to the Christian “clinic” and the actual abortion.

Shout out to your friend for that level of support at that age. Friendships like that during traumatic times is so essential. So glad you made it through. Blessings ? — immortal enchantress keeper of secrets (@shavaughnelle) May 16, 2019

Brie later tweeted that sharing her story was scary.

Sharing my story about my abortion was terrifying. I put myself out there in order to help girls and women. I am able to easily ignore the ignorance & hatred towards me bc of all of the loving and supportive people who have reached out to me. Your support means the world to me❤️ — Brie ? (@meowmeowmeow07) May 17, 2019

But the support she received online helped her realize that speaking up was important.

You are so strong, it takes a lot to share your story, and in doing so will motivate others to do the same. — Nintendan (@LionsLuvDaniel) May 17, 2019

you are so brave for sharing this thank you so much sending lots of love? — ⚢ (@bumk9y) May 16, 2019

It definitely seems like a horrible situation and one that could be terrible to have to talk about, and it was so brave of Brie to come forward and open up like she did. At times like now, when the government is giving more rights to a fetus than to a living woman, and it’s starting to feel like The Handmaid’s Tale is real, it’s important that we women support and learn from each other.

h/t: Twitter: @meowmeowmeow07, Someecards