Rita Moreno Talks Abortion After Roe V Wade Overturning

Rita had an abortion earlier than the 1973 Roe choice, when she was courting Marlon Brando within the ’50s and early ’60s. In her 2011 memoir, she wrote that the abortion was pressured by Marlon throughout their eight-year relationship.

“Marlon discovered a health care provider by some mates,” Rita recalled to Selection. “He was an actual physician — Marlon paid him $500 — versus one thing in a again alley.”

Nonetheless, following the process, Rita started to bleed and needed to go to the hospital. “I had what they advised me was a ‘disturbed being pregnant,’” she continued. “The physician didn’t do something actually, besides make me bleed. In different phrases, he didn’t do it proper. I didn’t comprehend it then, however I may have died. What a multitude. What a dreadful mess.”

“I can see that factor taking place now and going again to again alleys,” she mentioned, including that she was “jubilant” when Roe V. Wade got here first got here into impact. “I’m actually nervous and frightened and horrified that that is happening.”

Though Rita wasn’t fully stunned by the ruling, she understandably feels “shocked” and “shocked.” Nonetheless, she is considering of what comes subsequent. “We loud mouths are going to must get busy,” Moreno mentioned. “There are various of us. I’m considering what are we going to do about this? If something, this has reactivated us.”