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Posted by on Apr 14, 2023 in Blog, Las Vegas, Politics, Rants and Raves | 0 comments

Nevada Should Encourage Abortion Tourism

 

 

While other states squash women’s reproductive rights and outlaw access to abortion, Nevada should move swiftly into the void and become a sanctuary and a safe haven for pro-choice practitioners and advocates.

Nevada has always been a maverick state.

Here, we think differently.  We act differently.  We do things differently.

Nevada has always been a testing ground of sorts, whether it’s craps tables or nuclear bombs.  We’re a political, economic, social, and cultural outlier and always have been.

History proves this.  Nevada was the first state to legalize casino gambling.  Nevada was the first state to allow liquor-by-the-drink — 24/7.  Nevada was the first state (in most counties) to decriminalize prostitution.  Nevada was the marriage capital of the world for many years, and then just as quickly became the divorce capital, since residency laws were much less restrictive here than in other states.  Nevada was the testing epicenter for atomic weapons during the Cold War.  Nevada is the home of Area 51, where many military tests have occurred.  More recently, Nevada was the first state to openly welcome travel tourism related to cannabis and recreational marijuana. Even more recently, Nevada became the first state in the country ever in history to have a majority legislature made up of women.

Now, it’s time to go after a new market.  Let’s introduce and openly promote “abortion tourism.”

Abortion tourism is travel for the purpose of obtaining an abortion where it’s legal.  It appeals to good citizens whose rights have been stampeded by restrictive laws which outlaw abortion and make criminals out of ordinary women and their doctors.  Given the horrors of what’s currently happening in many parts of America right now, abortion tourism would be a viable option for millions of women who desperately need access to care.  Just like medical tourism in many parts of the world which have proven successful, abortion tourism could help millions of women and those who support the individual right to free choice.

Time is of the essence.  More than a dozen states have outlawed abortion, even including cases of rape and incest (thanks Christian conservatives!).  Another half dozen states (all Republican-controlled) are in the process of outlawing abortions after just six weeks of pregnancy — including Florida which signed this into law.  Six weeks!  This is a disgrace.  Most women don’t know they’re pregnant at least until the fifth week, sometimes longer.  Then there’s the far-Right wing federal judge in Texas who just overturned an FDA ruling, denying women access to a safe pill that ends pregnancies (and effectively addresses miscarriages).  Fact: When it comes to abortion and laws governing women’s bodies, America is sliding back into the Dark Ages.

Thats not all.  Conservative states are even imposing laws against access to information and assisting women who seek out abortions.  Friends and family, medical professionals, and advocacy groups who attempt to offer the alternative of abortion can be fined and criminally charged.  They aren’t just playing hardball.  This is a war on women and a battle for women’s rights, which means all of our rights.

Accordingly, Nevada should openly promote abortion services.  Create free-choice zones in populated areas with easy access to airports, most notably in Las Vegas and Reno.  Hundreds of cheap flights go to and from Las Vegas and Reno from most parts of the country.  Create package deals.  Round-trip airfare.  Ground transportation.  Two nights in a hotel.  Medical services and counseling.  Toss in a show and a free steak dinner.  Hand out a Fun Book with coupons.  Call it an abortioncation.

Yes, I’m 100 percent serious.

We should de-stigmatize abortion.  Let women make decisions about their bodies and futures — without guilt and shame.  Quit pilling on women about their choices and what they decide to do.  One way to de-stigmatize abortion is to treat it like getting a mole removed.  It’s a private medical procedure between a woman and her doctor.  Not you. Not a state legislator. Not some Bible-thumping Puritan who doesn’t give a damn about kids once they’re born. Yes, DE-STIGMATIZE.

Oh, and then there’s the issue of “states rights,” which anti-abortion zealots love to champion.  Okay, then. Since conservative state laws are so draconian against abortion, let’s exercise our state’s right to actively and aggressively promote and encourage abortion tourism, especially to people in states where those rights are severely denied to women.  Here in Nevada, we’re really good at this.  We openly target visitors from all over the world who simply can’t get the Las Vegas (or Reno) experience in places where they live.  So, use the same catchy marketing gimmicks and creative enticements to lure women to Nevada to pursue the abortion option, if they so choose it.

Let’s make abortion tourism happen.  The other side of the abortion debate has played its hand, and they’re dealing from the bottom of the deck.  It’s time we here in Nevada stack our own deck in favor of women and their reproductive rights.

Here’s a video version of this article:

 

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