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Autumn from Students for Life of America

NEW YORK, February 21, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) — Sixteen-year-old Autumn of Students for Life wants young girls to know that abortion shouldn't be viewed as friviously as it is portrayed in a recent magazine article.

Autumn hosted a video in response to an article in Teen Vogue entitled “What to give a friend post-abortion.”  

“Since I'm a teen, this is directed toward me and I would like to respond,” Autumn said.

“The point of the (Teen Vogue magazine) article is to make the situation as light-hearted and nonchalant as possible, in order to convince girls my age that abortion is no big deal,” Autumn explained.  

She said that saying abortion is not a big deal is “simply feeding us a lie.”

“Abortion is a big deal. Abortion is scary,” she said.  “No one skips into that room as if they're having their hair highlighted or their nails painted.”

Autumn critiqued the article's whole idea as misguided. “None of these gifts would make me feel better, and if they did make me feel better, that would mean I need serious counseling,” she said.  

The Students for Life leader considered the national girls' magazine article to be completely reprehensible. “Teen Vogue, you should be held accountable for this disgusting and disrespectful article. You trivialize an issue that leaves millions of women struggling every day,” she charged.  

Autumn noted that the article is extremely insensitive. “Such a blase approach hurts women who regret their abortion. It minimizes their pain,” she said.

The Teen Vogue article suggests renting “a fun movie” for adolescent girls after they've undergone an abortion. “How offensive to think a comedy would be a good antidote to the pain your friend might be feeling,” Autumn commented.

The article lists another post abortion gift: “underwear you can rock after your abortion.” Referring to a specific brand of panties designed for menstrual periods, the Teen Vogue article reads, “These revolutionary panties allow you to free bleed like our foremothers wish they could. Technically, they're made for your period, but that's no reason not to rock 'em for your post-abortion woes. Especially because there will be blood.”

“This is so deplorable,” Autumn assessed. “The language and flippant tone is appalling. … (Abortion) is traumatizing, and cool underwear will not make it all better.”

The article, written for girls as young as 13, offers an “angry uterus heating pad” as a post-abortive gift idea. Another encouragement is giving a “Girl Power” hat to the suffering young lady.

“Are they insinuating that girls who celebrate their abortions understand their abortions more than those who regret them?” Autumn asked.

“Abortion seems to be the opposite of girl power,” Autumn opined. “It is the most invasive and degrading thing that could happen to a girl.”

Furthermore, Autumn noted, “More than half the aborted babies are girls. What about their rights? When will they have 'power'?” she asked.

“This is a human rights issue, not a 'girl power' movement,” the pro-lifer concluded.

Another gift suggestion from Teen Vogue is to buy the post-abortive teen an “F-Uterus Pin.” “Some of the proceeds go to Planned Parenthood,” Autumn pointed out. “I think the motive here is to support Planned Parenthood, rather than being there for your friend.”

Teen Vogue suggests friends of post-abortive girls become abortion clinic escorts. “Really?” Autumn asked. “Do you really think we minors have the tools to deal with that kind of pressure on an ongoing basis?”

Another gift idea:  a needlepoint reading “We Won't Go Back.”  

“Guilt follows women for years after abortion,” Autumn said. “A cross-stitch isn't going to change that.”

“It's only after it happens and the guilt plagues them, and the depression drags them down, that they look at that cross-stitch on the wall and think, 'I actually wish I could go back,'” Autumn retorted. “But sadly, by then it's too late.”

“The 'We Won't Go Back' turns into 'We Can't Go Back,' which unfortunately is something women only realize after they've had an abortion,” she said.

The Students for Life leader then turned to offer ideas that acknowledge the gravity of the situation and offer genuine help.

“What I want to tell girls who've had abortions (is that) there are organizations out there that will help them where they're at,” Autumn said. “There are places that will provide counseling, such as Rachel's Vineyard, a safe place to renew, rebuild, and redeem hearts broken by abortion.”

“The national hotline for abortion recovery is 866-482-LIFE,” Autumn stressed, “and for local pregnancy resource centers in your area, visit HealingAfter.com and enter your zip code.”

“If you know someone who has had an abortion, don't buy them a gag gift and disguise it as a celebration,” Autumn advised. “Treat it for what it is: a terrible loss.”

“Go sit with her in her grief,” Autumn suggested. “Pray for her. Remind her of God's redemption, and comfort her in her suffering.”

“Offer your friendship and promise to help her find healing.”

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