A Wisconsin state representative attracted the ire of Twitter users when she referred to those impacted by the possible overturning of Roe v Wade as ‘birthing bodies’ rather than women.
Democrat State Rep. Francesca Hong, 33, sent out the message just hours after Politico leaked Justice Samuel Alito’s majority opinion to overturn Roe v Wade, possibly laying out a framework for a ban on abortion.
Hong, like many of her fellow Democratic colleagues nationwide, posted statements condemning the opinion.
However, Hong, the first Asian American state rep in Wisconsin history, caught nationwide attention because of her use of the term ‘birthing bodies.’
Hong tweeted: ‘Birthing bodies have the right to freedom. Deciding if or when to become a parent is one of the most personal, life-changing decisions. Access to abortion & reproductive care is a decision we must trust each person to make based on what’s best for their health & their future.’
Wisconsin State Rep. Francesca Hong, D-Madison speaks in support of Wisconsinites as they call on US President Joe Biden and Congress to invest $10 trillion for climate, care, jobs, and justice
Hong’s original tweet was sent out shortly after hours after Politico leaked Justice Samuel Alito’s majority opinion to overturn Roe v Wade, possibly laying out a framework for a ban on abortion
Hong’s message prompted this response from conservative firebrand Ben Shapiro
Hong is married with one child.
According to Hong’s official Twitter profile, she has around 4,700 followers. Hong’s tweet about ‘birthing bodies’ attracted close to 15,000 reactions.
Conservative pundit Ben Shapiro responded to Hong’s message saying: ‘Birthing bodies.’ But probably not pre-born bodies. These ridiculous people.’
Another person responded with: ‘If you can’t use the term “women” then your opinion on the subject isn’t very valuable.’ While another person said: ‘It is like being called “a breeder.” It feels like abuse, not just towards woman but towards human beings outright. It is disgusting.’
Hong did not respond to a request for comment.
Hong said in a 2021 interview that she was inspired to run for office over the way she felt restaurant owners were being treat amid the Covid-19 pandemic
While Fox Nation host Piers Morgan reacted saying, ‘Birthing bodies'” ???? Why don’t you start with affording women the right to be called women.’
In addition to her lawmaking duties, Hong is the owner and chef at Morris Ramen in Madison, Wisconsin, the state capital, according to her LinkedIn page. Hong opened the restaurant in 2016. The rep is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Hong wrote an op-ed for BonAppetit.com in September 2021 in which the Democrat said that she was inspired to run for public office because of the way restaurants were treated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Hong announced her candidacy for office on Mother’s Day 2020 and won her seat in November that year.
In 2020, Hong announced her candidacy for office on Mother’s Day
She said in the piece, ‘I’m a freshman legislator in the minority party (Democrat) in a state that is extremely gerrymandered, and I’ll be honest the government is broken, especially in Wisconsin.’
On her official website, Hong says, ‘Hong has used her time in the legislature to fight for democracy and preserve our basic humanity from relentless GOP attacks.’
In a separate interview with Zagat, Hong promoted the cause of raising spending for childcare because so many women were forced to leave the food industry because of parenting demands.
Hong said, ‘You’re seeing a lot of women leave the service industry because it’s difficult to find childcare during the hours that restaurants operate.’
Additionally, Hong is the co-founder of a women’s business networking group in Wisconsin, Culinary Ladies Collective.
In July 2021, in reference to a bill about transgender women playing in women’s sports, Hong tweeted: ‘Transgender women are women.’ Hong later called the same bill: ‘Transphobic, discriminatory and dangerous.’
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