Although this is a fashion blog, this is not going to be a fashion related post. I thought long and hard about writing this post and to be honest I was quite scared to share my story with you. As the days pass, my heart grows heavier and heavier and I know there is something I have to get off my chest. For the past few days I have listened to and read countless stories from different people, brave people who shared their feelings about the election and how it has impacted them. It has moved me in a such an enormous way, I knew I could no longer stay silent.

Tuesday November 8th 2016 will go down in history as one of the biggest upsets in our electoral system. While many Americans were in the polling booths, My boyfriend and I were exercising our rights in a different way. As we sat in the offices of Planned Parenthood hand in hand, I looked around at the faces of other women, each one with their own story, each one with their own pain. We were all there because we needed a place to turn to where we could make our own decisions about our bodies, a place where people wouldn't judge us, because it is our right to make these choices. In the waiting room I thought about my life and how scared I was, how I mulled over every little detail and every possibility before arriving at the decision I made. As each woman was called in one by one I could see in their faces they felt the same way I did. We had a silent bond. I knew they had all made the right choice for their own various reasons.

My name was finally called and I was lead into a small room. I felt a lump in my throat as the doctor and two nurses walked through the door. Even though I knew in my heart I made the right decision, it was still extremely painful and sad for me. Tears started welling up in my eyes and the kindest woman reached over to me and put her arm reassuringly around my shoulder. She glanced at my chart and said jokingly that her ex husband and I shared the same birthday, although she was sure she liked me much better than him. I cracked a smile through my tears. She dabbed my eyes with a tissue and held my hand as I slowly drifted to sleep. I will never forget her kindness and how she reached out to me, not as a nurse but as a human being with compassion.

Later on that night as I sat at home recovering and watching the election on the television, my heart began to sink. I watched as one by one a sea of red flooded each state. When they announced the new president, my heart broke into a million pieces as I knew my rights as a woman would be taken away from me. The rights that the women who came before me fought so hard to win, and now we have to fight just as hard to take back. I thought about the other women who sat in the waiting room with me only hours before, and my heart went out to each and every one of them. I hope they know that I stand with them. I stand with all women. I stand with every person who felt pain that night, the LGBTQ community, all of the Latin, Muslim, and African American families. As a woman, an immigrant, and a member of the LGBTQ community, I feel your heartache. I am with you, I feel you, I love you. Together we will heal, and together we will fight. Every action makes a difference, whether you are protesting, donating, sharing your story, or just simply listening.

I urge you to donate or volunteer for Planned Parenthood. They are the organization many turn to when they need help. The organization that makes us feel safe, gives free HIV testing, offers affordable birth control options, and abortion services. They need you now more than ever.

Photos by my friend Neil Favila, taken at the Los Angeles protests. Check out more of his work here.
Although this is a fashion blog, this is not going to be a fashion related post. I thought long and hard about writing this post and to be honest I was quite scared to share my story with you. As the days pass, my heart grows heavier and heavier and I know there is something I have to get off my chest. For the past few days I have listened to and read countless stories from different people, brave people who shared their feelings about the election and how it has impacted them. It has moved me in a such an enormous way, I knew I could no longer stay silent.

Tuesday November 8th 2016 will go down in history as one of the biggest upsets in our electoral system. While many Americans were in the polling booths, My boyfriend and I were exercising our rights in a different way. As we sat in the offices of Planned Parenthood hand in hand, I looked around at the faces of other women, each one with their own story, each one with their own pain. We were all there because we needed a place to turn to where we could make our own decisions about our bodies, a place where people wouldn't judge us, because it is our right to make these choices. In the waiting room I thought about my life and how scared I was, how I mulled over every little detail and every possibility before arriving at the decision I made. As each woman was called in one by one I could see in their faces they felt the same way I did. We had a silent bond. I knew they had all made the right choice for their own various reasons.

My name was finally called and I was lead into a small room. I felt a lump in my throat as the doctor and two nurses walked through the door. Even though I knew in my heart I made the right decision, it was still extremely painful and sad for me. Tears started welling up in my eyes and the kindest woman reached over to me and put her arm reassuringly around my shoulder. She glanced at my chart and said jokingly that her ex husband and I shared the same birthday, although she was sure she liked me much better than him. I cracked a smile through my tears. She dabbed my eyes with a tissue and held my hand as I slowly drifted to sleep. I will never forget her kindness and how she reached out to me, not as a nurse but as a human being with compassion.

Later on that night as I sat at home recovering and watching the election on the television, my heart began to sink. I watched as one by one a sea of red flooded each state. When they announced the new president, my heart broke into a million pieces as I knew my rights as a woman would be taken away from me. The rights that the women who came before me fought so hard to win, and now we have to fight just as hard to take back. I thought about the other women who sat in the waiting room with me only hours before, and my heart went out to each and every one of them. I hope they know that I stand with them. I stand with all women. I stand with every person who felt pain that night, the LGBTQ community, all of the Latin, Muslim, and African American families. As a woman, an immigrant, and a member of the LGBTQ community, I feel your heartache. I am with you, I feel you, I love you. Together we will heal, and together we will fight. Every action makes a difference, whether you are protesting, donating, sharing your story, or just simply listening.

I urge you to donate or volunteer for Planned Parenthood. They are the organization many turn to when they need help. The organization that makes us feel safe, gives free HIV testing, offers affordable birth control options, and abortion services. They need you now more than ever.

Photos by my friend Neil Favila, taken at the Los Angeles protests. Check out more of his work here.

32 comments

  1. Your story is overwhelming. I couldn't stop reading, because I knew you had something important to say. Thank you for sharing this. I can't imagine how difficult it was for you making the desicion of publishing your story. This is so well written. I was reading this out loud and translating for someone else, and I had to stop in order to not starting to cry. There are no words for expressing how brave you have been. Thank you, for real.

    Steal4Style.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much for the kind words. it really means a lot to me! <3

      Delete
  2. Thank you for sharing this.you were so brave to do so. I feel like our rights in the country are being questioned and it is horrendous. Our rights to choose.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you so much for sharing this personal story.. I can't imagine how tough that was for you and I applaud you for being brave enough to share it on your blog <3 P.S. It's been awhile since I've been to LA since my boyfriend keeps coming down here, but I'll definitely make the trip up anytime!
    xo.
    www.itswhatsin.com

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  4. Oh what a terrible night for you! But how much better when a simple act of kindness is there and given freely. I live 2 blocks from DT, and can't , won't go near. The protestors are there, and we have a civil society for now.I hope for a good outcome from this, but can not see one as yet, just can't see it.
    Feeling lost, yes.
    Stat strong!
    xx, Elle
    http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/

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  5. This is such a moving story hun. What a huge part of your life. I can only imagine how difficult and then heartbreaking this past week has been. I wish you all the strength that I can going forward.
    xx Jenelle

    ReplyDelete
  6. fashion blog couldnt be troubled with your politic opinions we dont give a fuck about

    ReplyDelete
  7. You are a brave enough to share your personal feelings here, I hope and wish that everything get better for you and for everyone in this world.

    pazhalabirodriguez.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is so important right now. Thanks for sharing babe!

    xx,
    Chels
    www.chelseaasoflate.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Everyone has the right to do with their body what they feel is right and to not be discriminated because of who you love or were you come from.
    This world seems to go backwards instead of forwards. The scary thing about the electoral results is not that Trump is president, but that so many people have backed him up and think like he does.

    Not everyone dares to share the story that you have shared, but it is very important that you do. One on your readers might be in a similar situation as you were and they need to know that they have a choice, that only they can have the final word and they should always to what feels right to them.
    Thanks for sharing!

    Vanessa x | www.springlilies.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow this is by far the most powerful post I have read in a long time, it gave me shivers...well done babe for what you said and my heart goes out to you for what you have been through.... I can relate xxx

    www.fashionjazz.co.za

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a touching story! I hope thins turn out for good.

    Funmi x
    www.funmialabi.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  12. This was such an incredible read, really quite inspiring. I just love how you vocalized everything whilst not giving a crap, good on you girl! Have a lovely weekend :)

    tipscapsule.blogspot.com

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  13. That's so sad.. your story is touching. It's for the best. . I hope for better days for USA . I'm truly with all of you
    Http://www.somethingvogue.com

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  14. Your strength is inspiring, both in your words and in your actions. We'll all keep fighting!

    JennifHsieh

    ReplyDelete
  15. This is such a great post. Very inspiring and breathtaking.

    www.nomoretulips.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Great post, its so inspiring :)
    I follow your blog,happy day!

    http://missweetie.blogspot.pt/

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story. Totally enjoy reading your post.

    xoxo Ashon
    http://ashonfashionary.com/trend-alert-patchwork-jeans-socks-with-heels/

    ReplyDelete
  18. You wrote this so well. Stay strong :)

    http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/

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  19. This was so beautifully written, Yuka, even though it is about a day of sorrow. Thank you so much for sharing your story. I made that same heartbreaking choice five years ago as well and my heart goes out to you. I know how overwhelmingly challenging of a decision that is to make. I am horrified by the result of the election and by the impact it is going to make on the lives of millions of young women who aren't even old enough to vote yet. I am terrified for our country's amazing, diverse population.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great story babe. Thank you for sharing! xo, sharon

    http://www.stylelullaby.com/fashion/holiday-shopping-shoprunner/

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very inspiring! Thanks for sharing it with us!
    xx
    Mónica Sors
    MES VOYAGES À PARIS
    NEW POST: GREEN TRENCH & VELVET SCARF

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a powerful post and I'm so glad that you've shared it with us. I love the pictures they're, equally powerful. Even though the elections didn't go the way that a lot of Americans and the rest of the world expected at least, they've opened a floodgate of fresh conversation and awareness of some of the most important things happening right now.

    XoXo Noma

    XoXo Noma

    ReplyDelete
  23. Thank you for sharing, and being brave enough to share on such a large platform. I'm with all of you, we're gonna make it.

    Chanel | Je M'appelle Chanel

    ReplyDelete
  24. This post was amazing!!
    xx
    Mónica Sors
    MES VOYAGES À PARIS
    NEW POST: GREEN TRENCH & VELVET SCARF

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a great post dear!
    Emma
    www.emmalovesfashion.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hope you are okay babe. It's such a worrying time right now in the world.

    Gemma x
    www.jacquardflower.uk

    ReplyDelete
  27. Only time can tell what's going to happen, but hopefully it's not as bad as people think

    All the best wishes :)
    http://style-hue.com/

    ReplyDelete
  28. It's a lovely, Very inspiring and insightful post babe...! Luv reading it and very thanks for sharing it ! xo, Neha

    http://www.theinstylejournal.com/

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  29. This is a wonderful post and thank you for writing it and sharing! I'm in shock at some of the events happening around the globe at the moment. These are scary times xx

    http://www.thatnewdress.com

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  30. Amazing pictures! Love this post! Thanks for sharing!
    Much love, Len
    http://www.lenparent.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yuka, my heart absolutely broke when he won, but just know that the world is behind people like you. Thank you for sharing your story, it is so brave and powerful.
    xo
    Siffat
    http://icingandglitter.com

    ReplyDelete

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