Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Let's say you find yourself alone on the street at night, your cellphone has died, and you need to borrow someone else's phone to call for help. In this case, relying on the kindness of strangers is a good thing. But if you've neglected to use birth control, got pregnant, don't have a job, and can't afford to get an abortion -- well, then it's highly questionable whether anyone owes you anything.
One woman, who goes by the name "Bailey," found herself in that very predicament. But thanks to the existence of the popular fundraising site GoFundMe.com, she decided to take a chance and see if anyone would be willing to donate to a charity of her own creation -- one she titled the "Stop Bailey From Breeding Fund." Charming, huh?
Bailey was actually able to raise some money for her abortion. But the website, which boasts it allows for "Crowdfunding for Everyone," apparently doesn't think "everyone" includes women seeking abortions. They reportedly booted her off the site.
In an email obtained by The Daily Dot, a "Customer Happiness" representative from GoFundMe reportedly told Bailey several people had complained about her page and that it doesn't want to be "associated with" the "content subject matter" she was promoting. Her account was suspended and her page was removed.
But before it was removed, it was a doozy. Bailey reportedly wrote things like this gem: "Aside from having no desire to raise a child, she is economically unstable and can barely afford to support herself, which means having enough money to pay rent, smoke cigarettes, drink rockstar, support her friends in prison, and if she’s really busted her ass, maybe go to a show or two."
She was 19 weeks along when she created the page and says she was in so much pain that she could barely make it out of bed, let alone work a job.
Would I, personally, fund this woman's abortion? NO WAY. She sounds immature. Reckless. Irresponsible.
But, with that said, I realize GoFundMe is a corporation that has the right to turn away people as it deems fit, but I can't say I understand its choice to do so in this case. On its "Questions" page, some of the reasons it says people use the site are to raise money for "medical expenses, education costs, volunteer programs, youth sports, funerals & memorials -- even animals & pets." This woman's desire falls under "medical expenses." Case closed.
If people are so offended by her page, they can protest it by simply not donating their money to her "cause." If the site wants to take a stand against "frivolous" or "offensive" fundraising efforts, there are plenty of others it could focus on -- anyone remember the "I Need Some White Privilege" campaign? -- but what offends one person's sensibilities won't cause another person to bat her eyelashes. They are going to have their work cut out for them.
Do you think the site was right to delete this woman's abortion fundraising page?
Image via Micah Sittig/Flickr
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
