Lifestyle

Lena Dunham Tells Women They Don't Need A Reason To Be On Birth Control

by Katie Gonzalez

The Supreme Court's Hobby Lobby ruling last month gave privately-owned, for-profit companies the right to opt out of the contraception mandate, legalizing its intent to ban four forms of birth control to female employees and their beneficiaries who had paid into the employer-sponsored health insurance plan.

Although Hobby Lobby claims that those forms of contraception violated its religious rights because its owners believed taking them is equivalent to having an abortion, actress (and all-around inspirational human being) Lena Dunham took to Twitter last night to remind everyone that contraceptives can be used for a lot more than simply preventing unwanted pregnancies.

I need birth control because I have endometriosis and it helps manage pain. Why do you? — Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) July 23, 2014

Shortly after posing the question, a number of men and women started tweeting back their responses.

The replies varied from others who cited similar medical reasons and concerns, to women who insisted they simply wanted control over their own bodies and reproductive futures.

@lenadunham because I want control over my sexual health and reproductive future. And that's OK. — Ali Vitali (@alivitali) July 23, 2014
@lenadunham polycystic ovary syndrome!!! #hormonaldisorderbabe — Maria Yagoda (@mariayagoda) July 23, 2014
@lenadunham because women have the right to enjoy sex without the confines and fear of a unplanned pregnancy, just as men do — B (@brattybeeee) July 23, 2014
@lenadunham Because babies & college dont mix. Also acne. — Megan Austin (@meganaustt) July 23, 2014
@lenadunham I need birth control because it is my choice to stop having kids after having had two that I planned and love to pieces. — Romina Linnell (@RominaML) July 23, 2014

After receiving these responses, Dunham eventually thanked everyone for participating in her little Q&A.

And in typical Dunham fashion, she shut the conversation down on a high note, insisting that despite all the reasons said and submitted, women don't need to justify their decision to go on birth control — they should be allowed autonomy over their bodies.

Love hearing all your reasons for using birth control. And guess what? You don't need a reason. — Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) July 23, 2014

h/t: Huffington Post, Photo Credit: WENN