Louisiana Rep. Delisha Boyd is fighting an uphill battle to exempt pregnancies resulting from rape and incest from Louisiana’s strict abortion ban. Her bill will be debated and voted on by a GOP-dominated legislative committee, and Boyd has decided to share her personal story to emphasize the importance of allowing survivors to make their own decisions. Born as a result of statutory rape, Boyd believes her mother’s early death was influenced by the trauma of giving birth as a teenager. She argues that survivors should not be forced to carry a baby to term in a state with high maternal mortality rates, or travel to another state where abortion is still legal.
Supporters of the abortion ban argue that if Boyd’s mother had chosen to abort, Boyd herself would not exist. Despite not regretting her own birth, Boyd believes her mother sacrificed her life for hers. She acknowledges that her story may be an exception to the rule and recognizes the potential negative outcomes for children born to teen mothers in similar situations. Boyd shares that she has received stories similar to hers, highlighting the impact of rape and incest on young girls in Louisiana.
Louisiana’s abortion law, enacted in 2022 following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, allows exceptions only in cases where the mother’s life is at risk or if the pregnancy is deemed medically futile. Boyd is pushing for exceptions in cases of rape and incest for those 17 and younger. While some states with abortion bans have exceptions for these cases, Louisiana remains a challenging environment due to its conservative stance on abortion. Boyd hopes that sharing her mother’s story will humanize the experiences of survivors and potentially sway lawmakers who oppose exemptions.
The legislative committee in Louisiana will review Boyd’s bill, which she plans to amend to increase the chances of it advancing to a debate. The bill had faced challenges in the past, and Boyd is aware of the tough road ahead in a state where views on abortion are deeply divided. She believes that by shedding light on the emotional, psychological, and spiritual struggles faced by pregnant rape and incest survivors, she can bring about a change of heart in some lawmakers. Boyd emphasizes the lack of support her mother received and advocates for the right of survivors to make their own choices.
