The bill mandating transvaginal ultrasounds is on its way to Governor McDonnell’s desk, and given his political beliefs and the fact that he’s gunning to be picked as vice president on the Republican ticket, there’s a good chance he’s going to sign it. (He’s already said he will). Also, you can check out this quick hit from the 14th if you need more information about what’s going on.
So call the governor and tell him that this is not okay, and that Virginia residents and his constituents will not stand for this bill. So we’ve written up some tips for you, when you decide to call him (and really, he deserves to be inundated with calls about this).
The number for his office is: (804) 786-2211. You can also email him at his official website.
Tips for calling the governor:
Make sure you say what you’re calling about – you are calling in regards to the bill mandating transvaginal ultrasounds for women who are seeking abortion.
Be concise and to the point – what does this law mean for you, specifically? (like, “This would be an invasion of my right to privacy and my right to an abortion”).
Say why you’re against it – it’s medically unnecessary, harmful to women, is a complete and utter violation of a woman’s body, is not cost effective, etc.
Give the exact action you want the governor to do – veto this bill.
Try and remain calm – you may want to call him and the Virginia GOP a bunch of stupid fuckers, but it’s for the best to save that for your blog.
Potential talking points:
Mandating ultrasounds, and specifically transvaginal ultrasounds, is an encroachment on a woman’s right to privacy and utterly unconstitutional. These ultrasounds are medically unnecessary, and amount to nothing more than a punitive violation of a woman’s body as mandated by the state.
Abortions are a necessary, sometimes lifesaving, medical procedure for women and people who can get pregnant, but a transvaginal ultrasound is in no way necessary for having an abortion.
Bob McDonnell should be a governor for all of his residents and constituents, including women and people who can have abortions. He should not succumb to ideological beliefs and require women have these invasive procedures to punish them for having abortions.
Women who live in Virginia deserve to live in a state that respects their rights and does not mandate unnecessary, harmful, and invasive procedures that violate their bodies, rights, and personhood.
From my friend, Molly – “As a constituent and a woman, I ask that Governor McDonnell veto the transvaginal ultrasound bill. It is medically unnecessary and invasive. No one should be forced to undergo such a procedure as a prerequisite to receiving a legal medical service. Not only would this be a waste of time, money, and resources, it amounts to state-sponsored rape.”
You can also sign these petitions to the Governor (and please do):
Repeal the Virginia “personhood” law and the abortion ultrasound law.
ShoutOut! James Madison University 
Thank you for for this post. Its been a helpful weblink for me to post following wall posts on facebook that friends of mine have been putting up about this upsetting bill. I hope a link to this post helps by providing information and encouragement for others to call or email Governor McDonnell.
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Thank you for sharing this, I really appreciate it. I hope as many people as possible contact him to tell him not to sign this bill.
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THANK YOU! I called and emailed- there’s NO way that this bill should pass.
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You’re welcome! I hope these were helpful. And I agree, it would be unacceptable for the governor to sign something this abhorrent into law.
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I don’t understand the point of this procedure – Why? Is it to determine a fetal size or development stage to rule out abortion because of presumed “personhood?” It seems a spurious and invasive process, and I am yet to get a clear idea of what they hope to accomplish with this…save a few fetuses, or what?
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So the legislators who introduced this bill are saying it’s to determine fetal age, because abortions are illegal in Virginia after the first trimester. But it’s a medically unnecessary procedure, and you really only need to know the exact fetal age if you’re planning on continuing with a pregnancy.
My opinion is that this bill was introduced as a punitive measure to shame and punish women who want to have abortions. Because of the nature of transvaginal ultrasounds and the fact that in this case they are definitely nonconsensual, the measure amounts to state-sponsored rape. Like, I don’t think there is ANY point but to punish women.
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