Sarah Silverman on the assault on reproductive rights: "I think vaginas really, really scare people"

The comedian and activist hosted a fundraiser for Texas reproductive heath clinics Monday night

Published November 19, 2013 4:50PM (EST)

    (MSNBC)
(MSNBC)

Sarah Silverman and Lizz Winstead co-hosted a fundraiser Monday night in support of Texas reproductive health service providers and the many, many women who, after HB 2 went into effect earlier this month, have been forced to travel hours and sometimes across state lines to access abortion care that is no longer available in many parts of the state.

The pair took a quick break from the event to speak with MSNBC's Chris Hayes about the recent proliferation of abortion restrictions across the country and why they decided to organize the telethon.

Silverman put it rather bluntly.

“I think vaginas really, really scare people, honestly,” she said.

And as for why she wanted to get involved with the reproductive rights crisis unfolding in Texas, Silverman explained, "I believe in a woman's right to choose. Very quietly, our rights are being chipped away, state by state, sometimes more loudly than others. Also, much like the pro-lifers, I believe in protecting the child ... when she’s being forced to have a baby at 14.”

Watch the full clip here:


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

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Abortion Abortion Access Abortion Care Hb2 Reproductive Rights Texas Video Wendy Davis Women Women's Rights