ABSTRACT
In 2012, law student Sandra Fluke argued for contraceptive coverage under the Affordable Care Act while sidestepping discussions of sex. Rush Limbaugh dismissed her argument by slut shaming Fluke; he subsequently faced extensive backlash and apologized. While this moment seems positive, supportive responses to Fluke capitalized on her status as an educated white woman, and widespread narratives associating reproductive rights with sexually immoral behavior were not fully confronted. Three such responses are analyzed here to show that supporting women’s reproductive health must involve not only short-term advocacy but also ongoing challenges to problematic narratives about sexual behavior.
