by Kathleen Chapman

She stands, often alone in the early mornings, resolutely holding her badge: a poster stamped with the innocent fetus. She has been extremely successful in permeating society nationwide with the plight of this small mass of tissue and precipitating a controversy prominent enough to influence the outcome of political campaigns. The cameras depict the pro-lifer everywhere: heckling women attempting to gain admittance to a clinic, holding a solemn vigil, and staging dramatic rallies outside the capitol. If it were not for her, one might not even notice the small Women’s Health Center about ½ mile from CHS, near the intersection of Peachtree Industrial and Chamblee-Dunwoody Roads.

This clinic, one of the seven in all of metro Atlanta willing to perform abortion, has become another stage for the universal moral debate, much to the irritation of its employees. It is the cause of the Chamblee city ordinance stating that protests must stay thirty feet from the building. An employee of fifteen years served as spokesperson for Dr. Gay and described the extent of activity of the protest groups activities: “About five years ago Operation Rescue was really involved . . . They would actually get their small children to lie in the drive way to prevent the cars’ entrance.” The new ordinance has made this illegal, but does not prohibit assembly across the street. On some Saturdays, as many as 200 Catholics peacefully hold a religious service on the other side of Chamblee Dunwoody, outside the restrictive radius. A small group of radicals continue more aggressive tactics, like putting potatoes in tailpipes of employees or tacks in the parking lot. Dr. Gay still practices alone, as most other physicians have become hesitant to be associated with the abortion stigma. In the past, determined protestors have discouraged partnerships by harassing doctors considering working with Dr. Gay. In one case, pro-life demonstrators  followed a young doctor’s wife through the grocery store, screaming that her husband was a murderer. Protestors’ influence over the woman who have chosen abortion, however, appears minimal.

The spokesperson explained, “Most women who come have already been through the agonizing decision process; the younger ones seem almost immune. I’ve only seen a handful that seem worried about people out front. They have their right to protest but are not effective.” One incident several years ago demonstrated rare reaction to the protestors. A teenage boy had accompanied his sixteen year old girlfriend to her appointment for support. Activists approached their car and shouted at the girl, inciting her boyfriend to beat up a few of the protestors while she was consulting with the doctor. The spokesperson emphasized how unusual the event was, as most of us are completely desensitized.

When asked what disturbed her most about the protesters, the clinic spokesperson cited what she feels is their fundamental hypocrisy. “They say they’ll pray for you, but that’s about it. They don’t propose any alternatives. As long as the fetus survives, they don’t care about the woman.” Although these allegations may apply to some groups, one has chosen to prevent abortion by alleviating the difficulties of unplanned pregnancy. “Women for Women” offers baby clothes, furniture, and transportation to job interviews for the new mothers. Some volunteers even provide daycare for the children. A member demonstrating outside the clinic explained her organization’s philosophy: “Yes, abortion is immoral, but we try to spend more time helping than passing judgement.” She expressed disdain for those pro-choice supporters who were so radical as to be pro-abortion, citing the groups that provide armed escorts for the women, particularly at the downtown center. Many of these groups are not vocal, but the clinic receives support from many hospitals, as well as the Atlanta Pro-Choice Action Committee.

The clinic spokesperson finds it unfortunate that Dr. Gay’s notoriety as a “baby killer” has eclipsed his reputation as a physician. She emphasizes that he is only following the Hippocratic oath, which entails listing options for patients and acting in their best interests. The clinic staff wishes to appear respectable and not degenerate into a forum for radical feminists; in keeping with this, the faculty attempts to maintain a low profile. The spokesperson continued that this is, however, a difficult task, as she does not  believe this issue will disappear. “ Whenever there’s a ‘party’, they’ll (protestors) be out. I don’t think the issue will be easily reconciled; we view it as strictly a medical issue, for them it is moral.” This chasm has yet to be bridged.