With the controversial comments of Missouri GOP Senate candidate Todd Akin making news across the political universe (Akin, who opposes abortion, even in cases of rape or incest, told an interviewer over the weekend that in cases of “legitimate rape,” women won’t get pregnant), the spotlight has shifted back to women’s health.
On MSNBC’s NOW with Alex Wagner, actress Gabrielle Union, who will participate in a Planned Parenthood breast health event Monday, talked about her support of the organization (which has been under attack by GOP legislators for providing family planning among its many services) and slammed Akin’s remarks.
“Todd Akin…I was shocked. I would say saddened except that it pissed me off,” said Union.
Earlier this year, she told Oprah Winfriey’s O magazine about her own horrific experience with sexual assault:
When I was 19, I had a summer job at a shoe store. One night, as my coworker and I were closing up, a man robbed the shop and raped me at gunpoint. Afterward, I was in shock. I just couldn’t believe that something like that could happen. For days I asked myself, “Why me?”