Doonesbury Strip About Abortion Legislation Dropped by Some Papers

743 views · Published 12 March 2012 · 0:54 · Indexed 1 October 2026

Channel: Slate · 2012 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

Doonesbury is getting blocked by some papers for only the second time in the comic strip's 40 year syndication, thanks to taking a stance on the same controversial subject: abortion.

This week's edition of the long-running liberal comic by Gary Trudeau features a woman trying to get an abortion who has to get a mandatory exam with a "10-inch shaming wand," and wait in the "Shaming Room," after filling out her forms.

The strip is in response to recent legislation proposed in Virginia and Texas requiring women to get costly ultrasounds before getting abortions. The Portland Oregonian and Gainesville Sun are amongst papers refusing to run the comic, which also happened in 1985 when the comic satirized the film Silent Scream. 

Amid the backlash Trudeau gave a very Doonesbury response: "To ignore it would have been comedy malpractice."

More from this channel

• 2:07 How To Spend Your Tax Rebate

  Slate

  849 views · 19 May 2008

• 4:37 Reviews of: Moon, The Taking of Pelham 123, and Imagine That

  Slate

  1,618 views · 12 June 2009

• 2:21 Dear Prudence: Riding Shotgun with Tipsy Pal

  Slate

  2,634 views · 29 June 2009

• 2:15 How to Save Newspapers

  Slate

  2,854 views · 10 July 2009

• 4:14 Reviews of: Inglourious Basterds, Post Grad

  Slate

  2,218 views · 22 August 2009

• 2:05 Dear Prudence: Is Short Hair Ruining My Love Life?

  Slate

  4,892 views · 31 August 2009

• 4:42 Reviews of: Extract, All About Steve, and Gamer

  Slate

  1,316 views · 5 September 2009

• 4:30 Reviews of: Capitalism: A Love Story, Surrogates, and Fame

  Slate

  1,472 views · 27 September 2009