Tina Fey Rape Rant: Lena Dunham, Amy Poehler, and Other Celebs Speak Up

Impact

Oh, Todd Akin, when will your zany antics end? Earlier this week, it was revealed that not only has Akin been arrested more times than he previously admitted, but also that he contributed to "the political campaign of a violent antiabortion activist named Tim Dreste" who "was convicted in federal court of making 'true threats to kill, assault or do bodily harm' to abortion doctors." And just when you were getting rape outrage fatigue, along came Richard Mourdock.

No wonder Tina Fey is about to lose her mind. 

During her speech at the Center of Reproductive Rights Inaugural Gala on Wednesday night, Fey said, "I wish we could have an honest and respectful dialogue about these complicated issues, but it seems like we can’t right now. And if I have to listen to one more gray-faced man with a two-dollar haircut explain to me what rape is, I’m gonna lose my mind."

Earlier this month, the Center launched its equally star-studded Draw the Line Campaign, featuring Tina Fey's well-known BFF and fellow comedienne Amy Poehler. 

Guests at the gala were also treated to the following video, which "features some of the people who are on the front lines of this struggle every day, including two women whose human rights were violated in countries where reproductive health laws are oppressive and a culture of intolerance persists."

And comedians aren't the only ones speaking out against attacks on reproductive rights. Musician Lesley Gore recently released a PSA advocating for Obama, in which she says, "I recorded 'You Don't Own Me' in 1964. It's hard to believe, but we're still fighting for the same things we were fighting for then."

The description for the YouTube video reads, "A vote for Obama is a vote for our families. It is a vote to marry who you choose. It's a vote to start a family when you choose. A vote for Obama says that we won't stand for violence against women and that rape is rape. Our vote ensures that our daughters will grow up with the same rights that we've had. A vote for Obama sends a message: This war on women must end. We will not go backwards."

Lena Dunham, the creator of HBO's Girls, also recently released an ad on behalf of Obama for America, telling viewers, "Your first time shouldn't be with just anybody. You wanna do it with a great guy ... A guy who cares if you get health insurance, and specifically if you get birth control."

Whether or not these celebrities will impact the current legislative trends when it comes to domestic violence, sexual assault, women's reproductive health care and access to abortion is unknown. But what is clear is that Upworthy will continue to have excellent feminist fodder.