It's been a bit surreal feeling going through my first IVF cycle simultaneous to the Alabama ruling which determined that embryos are "extrauterine children". IVF has been consuming 95% of my thoughts lately. It is so strange to turn on NPR while cooking dinner and hear the world talking about IVF.
As a public health practitioner who has spent many years working in the sexual and reproductive health space, I long ago developed a wariness about engaging with those who spout anti-choice rhetoric. It often seems quite clear that the anti-choice movement and politicians care little about health or wellbeing, and care quite a lot about exerting control over people's bodies as a means to enacting white supremacy, patriarchy, and religious fundamentalism.
My husband and I are pursuing IVF so that we can screen embryos for a genetic variant associated with severe morbidity and possible neonatal death. As a part of this journey into parenthood, we are operating under the assumption that we will indeed come to a point where we opt to destroy certain embryos, so that they do not turn into babies at risk of death.
As a person of reproductive potential, I am always sensitive to legislative activity which endangers one's right to bodily autonomy and self-determination. In this particular moment, I feel compelled to share my story.
It is never, never about the right to life. It is always, always about control and subjugation.
The anti-abortion groups have definitely thought about all of this, whether or not the politicians they elect have done the same, and these groups don't care what anyone else thinks because they believe they answer to a 'higher power'. Throughout the entirety of this crisis Republicans have demonstrated zero ability to resist these groups, so that shows us exactly what will happen if they win this election.
It's important to note that people making use of IVF have to be relatively wealthy. Whereas people who need abortion care tend to skew poorer, for lots of reasons. If this development is getting more news coverage or backlash, that's a big part of the reason why.
PS We are definitely in the upside down world where people are forced to have babies they don't want (for whatever reason) while people who want babies are being denied. SMH.
Congratulations!!! I participated in my own small part by accidentally buying the Kindle version when I meant to buy the Audible version for my drive to Boise today. So I have 2 copies!!!! I will claim the mantle of getting your book above Elon's. lol Seriously, though - well-deserved and I can't wait to listen today.
And to think that we knew you when...Hearty Congratulations-your pot of gold for all of your hard work!!
Had a drink yesterday that made me think of you-a Chai Toddy-bourbon, chai spices, ginger, lemon, honey and cinnamon-with hot water-it was lovely and warming.
I went back on the Site Formerly Known as Twitter to see just what a cesspool it is (and, let's be honest, to troll Talibangelicals and assorted other Cult 45 creatures), and someone there actually said this about the IVF debate: "Frogs can reanimate after being frozen. Are you saying they're not actually frogs?" You know if Greg Abbott saw that he'd be writing it down for future use.
When I saw this WaPo headline my immediate thought was, "if the writer does not reference Lyz's book and tries to pretend this was an idea they came up with on their own I'm going to scream."
I know that next month's dingus is a "best of" format but living in a small conservative state, I feel compelled to share our own "you're so special" dingus, Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
I don't know if you've seen much of Cox's anti-trans hate in the last two weeks. It has not been covered in any local outlets except the SL Trib. Here's a link:
Utah Gov. Cox calls gender-affirming care ‘genital-mutilation surgery’ during ‘Disagree Better’ event
A couple years ago it felt like the jury was out on Cox. He's not the same person who was interviewed by Time magazine and who said we wasn't afraid of being called woke.
And that "Disagree Better" event was HIS initiative being showcased at the national governors association meeting in February. And to top it all off, he keeps mouthing the words "I love the LGBTQ community and I'm an ally."
I am so here for this observation: "at some point your 12 year old daughter will hug you and say, A New York Times bestseller and you still can’t remember to shower." I feel you! That happens to those of us without NYT bestsellers as well. Congratulations, Lyz! I guess that NYT reviewer really understood your audience (not).
That's so great! (your best seller list position, not the pro-IVF republicans) I pre-ordered your book last month, but I only read books written by African Americans in February, and March I only read books written by women. So, I'm finishing up "Jazz", by Toni Morrison from last month, and you'll be next, followed by "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer. THAT'S the kind of company you're keeping these days.
Republicans are lowkey stuck in the stoning scene from Life of Brian r/n:
"Nobody is to prosecute anyone for performing IVF in Alabama until I blow this whistle! Even if- and I want to make this absolutely clear- even if embryos are legally considered children now!" (gets (metaphorically) stoned to death by anti-abortion groups)
It's been a bit surreal feeling going through my first IVF cycle simultaneous to the Alabama ruling which determined that embryos are "extrauterine children". IVF has been consuming 95% of my thoughts lately. It is so strange to turn on NPR while cooking dinner and hear the world talking about IVF.
As a public health practitioner who has spent many years working in the sexual and reproductive health space, I long ago developed a wariness about engaging with those who spout anti-choice rhetoric. It often seems quite clear that the anti-choice movement and politicians care little about health or wellbeing, and care quite a lot about exerting control over people's bodies as a means to enacting white supremacy, patriarchy, and religious fundamentalism.
My husband and I are pursuing IVF so that we can screen embryos for a genetic variant associated with severe morbidity and possible neonatal death. As a part of this journey into parenthood, we are operating under the assumption that we will indeed come to a point where we opt to destroy certain embryos, so that they do not turn into babies at risk of death.
As a person of reproductive potential, I am always sensitive to legislative activity which endangers one's right to bodily autonomy and self-determination. In this particular moment, I feel compelled to share my story.
It is never, never about the right to life. It is always, always about control and subjugation.
The anti-abortion groups have definitely thought about all of this, whether or not the politicians they elect have done the same, and these groups don't care what anyone else thinks because they believe they answer to a 'higher power'. Throughout the entirety of this crisis Republicans have demonstrated zero ability to resist these groups, so that shows us exactly what will happen if they win this election.
It's important to note that people making use of IVF have to be relatively wealthy. Whereas people who need abortion care tend to skew poorer, for lots of reasons. If this development is getting more news coverage or backlash, that's a big part of the reason why.
PS We are definitely in the upside down world where people are forced to have babies they don't want (for whatever reason) while people who want babies are being denied. SMH.
FUCK YES! Also Guest post, Taylor Kay, brilliant.
Congratulations!!! I participated in my own small part by accidentally buying the Kindle version when I meant to buy the Audible version for my drive to Boise today. So I have 2 copies!!!! I will claim the mantle of getting your book above Elon's. lol Seriously, though - well-deserved and I can't wait to listen today.
Conservatism and critical thinking do seem to be at odds with each other.
And to think that we knew you when...Hearty Congratulations-your pot of gold for all of your hard work!!
Had a drink yesterday that made me think of you-a Chai Toddy-bourbon, chai spices, ginger, lemon, honey and cinnamon-with hot water-it was lovely and warming.
I went back on the Site Formerly Known as Twitter to see just what a cesspool it is (and, let's be honest, to troll Talibangelicals and assorted other Cult 45 creatures), and someone there actually said this about the IVF debate: "Frogs can reanimate after being frozen. Are you saying they're not actually frogs?" You know if Greg Abbott saw that he'd be writing it down for future use.
I don't have anything clever to say about this. It's been a loooooong week. But February is OVER. DONE!
When I saw this WaPo headline my immediate thought was, "if the writer does not reference Lyz's book and tries to pretend this was an idea they came up with on their own I'm going to scream."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2024/02/28/lyz-lenz-this-american-ex-wife-divorce/
I know that next month's dingus is a "best of" format but living in a small conservative state, I feel compelled to share our own "you're so special" dingus, Utah Governor Spencer Cox.
I don't know if you've seen much of Cox's anti-trans hate in the last two weeks. It has not been covered in any local outlets except the SL Trib. Here's a link:
Utah Gov. Cox calls gender-affirming care ‘genital-mutilation surgery’ during ‘Disagree Better’ event
https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2024/02/22/utah-gov-cox-calls-gender/
And this:
GOP lawmakers (including Cox) used misinformation about trans Utahns to rally support for bathroom ban
https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2024/02/28/how-gop-lawmakers-use/
A couple years ago it felt like the jury was out on Cox. He's not the same person who was interviewed by Time magazine and who said we wasn't afraid of being called woke.
And that "Disagree Better" event was HIS initiative being showcased at the national governors association meeting in February. And to top it all off, he keeps mouthing the words "I love the LGBTQ community and I'm an ally."
https://i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/facebook/000/010/692/You_Keep_Using_That_Word_meme_banner.jpg
From the CNN article: "...or given his advanced age, Carroll may be forced to reckon with his estate." 💀💀💀
This brought me great joy, I'm dying.
I am so here for this observation: "at some point your 12 year old daughter will hug you and say, A New York Times bestseller and you still can’t remember to shower." I feel you! That happens to those of us without NYT bestsellers as well. Congratulations, Lyz! I guess that NYT reviewer really understood your audience (not).
That's so great! (your best seller list position, not the pro-IVF republicans) I pre-ordered your book last month, but I only read books written by African Americans in February, and March I only read books written by women. So, I'm finishing up "Jazz", by Toni Morrison from last month, and you'll be next, followed by "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer. THAT'S the kind of company you're keeping these days.
Republicans are lowkey stuck in the stoning scene from Life of Brian r/n:
"Nobody is to prosecute anyone for performing IVF in Alabama until I blow this whistle! Even if- and I want to make this absolutely clear- even if embryos are legally considered children now!" (gets (metaphorically) stoned to death by anti-abortion groups)
When I got to the footnote, all I could think of was “Do they really want me to make ‘poisoned fruit on the bottom’ yogurt? 🤣