Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Supports Parental Consent Laws

Republican candidate for Governor James Gilmore said yesterday that he supports strict parental consent laws for abortion.

Gilmore, who opposes all abortions performed after the 12th week, even in cases of rape or incest, surprised both anti-choicers and liberals with his announcement. His Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer, held a rally yesterday with National Abortion Rights Action League President Kate Michaelman and vowed to fight any measures that would further restrict abortion. "I have long believed that we should trust the women of Virginia to make this most difficult decision," he said.

Although currently under a temporary restraining order, Virginia has a parental notification law that does not require parents to give their permission for a minor to get an abortion. Virginia teens do not have to have parental permission or notification to obtain contraceptives.

Brenda Davis, Virginia's spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, said that Gilmore was ignoring the fact that many teenage girls have legitimate fears about telling their parents about a pregnancy, including a fear of violence. "We're asking for a public health nightmare," she said.

Media Resources: The Washington Post - September 16, 1997

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