Lady Gaga and Reese Witherspoon have joined the long list of celebrities condemning Alabama’s strict new laws, which virtually outlaws abortion.
Amid furious opposition from women’s rights advocates, the US state’s mostly male Senate voted 25-6 for the bill before it was signed off by Republican governor Kay Ivey.
The bill – set to go into effect in six months – will block abortions in the event of rape and incest, with the only exception being when a woman’s health is at serious risk.
The fierce and immediate backlash has seen a number of famous faces speaking out, with Gaga labelling the plans a “travesty”.
In a statement posted on Twitter, she said: “It is an outrage to ban abortion in Alabama, period, and all the more heinous that it excludes those who have been raped or are experiencing incest, non-consensual or not.
“So there’s a higher penalty for doctors who perform these operations than for most rapists? This is a travesty, and I pray for all these women and young girls who suffer at the hands of this system.”
Oscar-winning actress Reese also tweeted her dismay, while also condemning similar laws in other states.
She wrote: “I’m beyond upset about the passing of new abortion bans in Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Georgia, and Ohio. This is Unconstitutional and Abhorrent. We can not tolerate this attack on women’s fundamental rights.”
Friends star Courteney Cox, who was born in Alabama’s state capital, Birmingham, said she was “appalled” by the law.
Posting on Instagram, she said: “I love Alabama and I am proud to call it my home. But today I am appalled and scared. We CANNOT go backwards!”
The actress also urged fans to donate to an Alabama-based pro-abortion charity.
The Alabama bill follows a Georgia law signed last week that bans abortion as soon as a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, which is usually around six weeks into a pregnancy.
Sharing her experience of having an emergency abortion two years ago, US actress Milla Jovovich called out Georgia’s law change.
“Our rights as women to obtain safe abortions by experienced doctors are again at stake,” she wrote. “Last Tuesday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a draconian bill into law that outlaws all abortions after six weeks ― before most women even realize they’re pregnant ― including in cases of RAPE OR INCEST.
“This makes Georgia the sixth state to pass such a restrictive six-week abortion ban, joining Ohio, Mississippi, Kentucky, Iowa, and North Dakota. These laws haven’t been passed yet, but lawmakers in these states are trying.”
Jameela Jamil also won praise for speaking candidly on the topic, after telling her Twitter followers that she once had an abortion, labelling the move the “best decision I ever made”.
