MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • Podcasts
  • Beyond Beauty
  • Video
MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Poland Delays Its Abhorrent 'Abortion Ban' After Mass Global Outcry

Poland Delays Its Abhorrent 'Abortion Ban' After Mass Global Outcry

History Made: NSW Votes to Decriminalise Abortion

History Made: NSW Votes to Decriminalise Abortion

Gladys Berejiklian heads off leadership spill over abortion legislation

Gladys Berejiklian heads off leadership spill over abortion legislation

NSW Could Decriminalise Abortion As Early As Today

NSW Could Decriminalise Abortion As Early As Today

{headline}

{headline}

Northern Ireland’s Abortion Ban Lifted In Historic Vote

Northern Ireland’s Abortion Ban Lifted In Historic Vote

US Woman Charged With Manslaughter For Suffering A Miscarriage After Being Shot

US Woman Charged With Manslaughter For Suffering A Miscarriage After Being Shot

Two US Politicians In Georgia Literally Fist-Bumped After Banning Abortion

Two US Politicians In Georgia Literally Fist-Bumped After Banning Abortion

{headline}

{headline}

These Celebrities Have Shared Their Abortion Stories To Protest Alabama's Abortion Ban

These Celebrities Have Shared Their Abortion Stories To Protest Alabama's Abortion Ban

Rosie Waterland On Why We Need To Talk About Abortion

Rosie Waterland On Why We Need To Talk About Abortion

Why Is Abortion Still Taboo?

Why Is Abortion Still Taboo?

A Man Is Suing A Clinic Where His Ex-Girlfriend Got An Abortion

A Man Is Suing A Clinic Where His Ex-Girlfriend Got An Abortion

Dior’s Fresh New Feminist T-Shirts Will Be Everywhere Soon

Dior’s Fresh New Feminist T-Shirts Will Be Everywhere Soon

How Much Does An Abortion Cost For Australian Women?

How Much Does An Abortion Cost For Australian Women?

The Very Important Reason Demi Lovato Returned To Instagram

The Very Important Reason Demi Lovato Returned To Instagram

  1. Home
  2. News

Celebrities React To Georgia's Abortion Ban

Women who miscarry could be criminally investigated for manslaughter - by Grace Back
  • 16 May 2019
Celebrities React To Georgia's Abortion Ban

On May 8, the United State's Governor of Georgia Brian Kemp signed the most extreme abortion ban across the country. The measure is a "fetal heartbeat bill", known as the HB 481, that would outlaw abortion after six weeks, which is when a heartbeat is sometimes detected in an embryo, but before many women know that they're pregnant. 

The bill criminalises the procedure itself, which means women who get an abortion could face life in prison and even the death penalty. That's because, as Slate explains, once HB 481 takes effect, a woman who terminates her own pregnancy with, for example, a drug easily available on the internet, "will have, as a matter of law, killed a human, thereby committing murder." Under Georgia law, the punishment for that crime is life imprisonment or capital punishment.

RELATED: Women Who Have A Miscarriage In The US State Of Georgia Could Be Charged For Manslaughter

HB 481, which is due to take effect on January 1, 2020, would also have consequences for women who suffer a miscarriage. If a woman was to miscarry based on her behaviour, such as the use of drugs or alcohol, she would be liable for second-degree murder, which is punishable to 10 to 30 years' imprisonment. 

"This law is bafflingly unconstitutional," said Elisabeth Smith, chief counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights, to CBS News. "Bans like this have always been blocked by courts. We will be suing Georgia to make sure this law has the same fate." Elizabeth Nash, a senior state issues manager at Guttmacher, also told CBS News, "The surge in attempts to ban abortion in the earliest stages of pregnancy underscores that the end goal of anti-abortion politicians and activists is to ban all abortion—at any point during pregnancy and for any reason."

my body

While celebrities are unable to undo the actions of Alabama's Senate, they are taking to social media to condemn the ban and actions that led to it. Many are also calling for people to take action. 

Jane Lynch on Twitter
Andy Cohen on Twitter
Piper Perabo on Twitter
Chris Evans on Twitter
Patrick Shriver on Twitter
Alyssa Milano on Twitter
Jameela Jamil 🌈 on Twitter
kerry washington on Twitter
John Legend on Twitter
Alyssa Milano on Twitter
Sarah Silverman on Twitter
Grace Back
Grace Back
Grace is our Digital News and Entertainment Editor. When not stuck in a seemingly endless Instagram scroll, you'll find Grace with her head in a good book.

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

When you subscribe to marie claire.

Subscribe Now
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

When you subscribe to marie claire.

Subscribe Now
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

Poland Delays Its Abhorrent 'Abortion Ban' After Mass Global Outcry

Poland Delays Its Abhorrent 'Abortion Ban' After Mass Global Outcry

History Made: NSW Votes to Decriminalise Abortion

History Made: NSW Votes to Decriminalise Abortion

Gladys Berejiklian heads off leadership spill over abortion legislation

Gladys Berejiklian heads off leadership spill over abortion legislation

NSW Could Decriminalise Abortion As Early As Today

NSW Could Decriminalise Abortion As Early As Today

{headline}

{headline}

Northern Ireland’s Abortion Ban Lifted In Historic Vote

Northern Ireland’s Abortion Ban Lifted In Historic Vote

US Woman Charged With Manslaughter For Suffering A Miscarriage After Being Shot

US Woman Charged With Manslaughter For Suffering A Miscarriage After Being Shot

Two US Politicians In Georgia Literally Fist-Bumped After Banning Abortion

Two US Politicians In Georgia Literally Fist-Bumped After Banning Abortion

{headline}

{headline}

These Celebrities Have Shared Their Abortion Stories To Protest Alabama's Abortion Ban

These Celebrities Have Shared Their Abortion Stories To Protest Alabama's Abortion Ban

Rosie Waterland On Why We Need To Talk About Abortion

Rosie Waterland On Why We Need To Talk About Abortion

Why Is Abortion Still Taboo?

Why Is Abortion Still Taboo?

A Man Is Suing A Clinic Where His Ex-Girlfriend Got An Abortion

A Man Is Suing A Clinic Where His Ex-Girlfriend Got An Abortion

Dior’s Fresh New Feminist T-Shirts Will Be Everywhere Soon

Dior’s Fresh New Feminist T-Shirts Will Be Everywhere Soon

How Much Does An Abortion Cost For Australian Women?

How Much Does An Abortion Cost For Australian Women?

The Very Important Reason Demi Lovato Returned To Instagram

The Very Important Reason Demi Lovato Returned To Instagram

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*-*Conditions apply

Shop This Offer
Save up to 39% + chance to WIN*