Abortion ban: Sophie Turner boycotts Northern Ireland and Georgia over new laws
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It’s one of the reasons why the actor says she’s glad that Game of Thrones, which partially filmed in Belfast, is over.
Once again, women’s autonomy over their bodies is restricted by a few white men. As Louisiana becomes yet another American state banning abortion, Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner joins the increasingly long list of outspoken celebrities rallying against these draconian laws.
On the 7 May, Georgia’s governor Brian Kemp signed a bill that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat could be detected. Meanwhile, exactly a week later, Alabama’s senate voted to pass the most restrictive abortion law in the United States. 25 Republican men voted to criminalise abortion in almost all circumstances, including rape and incest, with the only exception being a risk to the woman’s health.
Turner reacted to these news by posting a collage of sickening comments made by Republican politicians about rape. Her caption reads: “Shame on you. OUR BODIES OUR CHOICE.”
However, as Stylist recently wrote, Northern Ireland’s abortion laws are definitely not preferable. In fact, they are much harsher than Alabama’s, with women facing jail sentences up to life if they decide to terminate their pregnancy.
This draconian situation has undoubtedly had an effect on the actress, who spent a decade of her life filming Game of Thrones in the region. During a X-Men: Dark Phoenix publicity interview – accompanied by the Oscar-nominated actress Jessica Chastain – she told Sky News:
“There was a lot of work of Game Of Thrones there, so luckily we’re moving on.”
During the interview, both actresses revealed they had signed an open letter in support of the boycott campaign against the anti-abortion state of Georgia, which is the third-largest film production hub in the US.
“There’s a letter going around that I signed saying I’m not going to work in any state that denies rights for women, for the LGBTQ community, for anyone,” said Chastain.
“I’m not going to work in a state that discriminates,” she added.
Turner explained she had signed it too, despite not telling her agents.
“They’re going to be like: ‘What? You can’t work in these states?’ Yeah I can’t work in these states,” she said.
The letter, signed by Alec Baldwin, Mia Farrow, Ben Stiller, Alyssa Milano – among other Hollywood stars, reads:
“We cannot in good conscience continue to recommend our industry remain in Georgia. […] We will do everything in our power to move our industry to a safer state for women if [the heartbeat bill] becomes law.”
“You have a choice, gentlemen. We pray you make the right one,” it concludes.
Image: Getty Images