Abortion advocate praises pro-life women’s ‘profound act of kindness’ after debate

An abortion advocate praised a group of pro-life women for their kindness following a debate on abortion, saying the encounter changed how she viewed people with opposing beliefs.

Abortion advocate Naima Troutt took part in a recent debate with 20 pro-life women on the Dr. Daf Show, a YouTube program hosted by educational psychologist Michelle Daf that brings together participants with opposing views on social issues.

During the nearly two-hour discussion, the women defended their pro-life positions on questions including when personhood begins, whether abortion bans are sexist, and whether a fetus is a baby.

Fellow pro-life participant Shayla Perez described Troutt’s online remarks as “bullying” in a video recounting the experience, saying Troutt had mocked the women before the debate, including calling them Nazis.

Despite those remarks, fellow participant Heather Lawless organized a financial gift with several other pro-life debate participants after learning online that Troutt hoped her payment for the debate would cover her rent, according to an Oct. 9 report from Pregnancy Help News.

Lawless is the founder and executive director of Reliance Center, a pregnancy help medical clinic in Lewiston, Idaho.

Lawless told Pregnancy Help News that she believed God was asking her through a dream to help Troutt, though she initially resisted because of the insults. She said continued prayer led her to invite the other pro-life participants to contribute.

Lawless told the outlet the women collected $550 in a signed card, which she felt called to give Troutt following the debate.

“God was very clear,” she said. “Give it to her after the debate.”

Lawless told Pregnancy Help News that Troutt later contacted her privately to apologize and said the gift had changed her view of pro-life people.

Troutt described the women’s $550 gift to help with her upcoming move as a “profound act of kindness” in a video shared by Lawless on social media. 

“It made me take a step back. … It’s easy to forget that not everyone who disagrees with you is doing it because they’re out to get you,” Troutt said. “Because you disagree doesn’t mean we can’t have and show love for each other. But I was wrong, I will never say that publicly again, but it’s true. People can disagree with me and still be kind and beautiful. Thank you ladies for reminding me of that, thank you ladies for embodying that.”

Pregnancy Help News noted that Troutt’s position on abortion remained unchanged.

Lawless told the outlet that she wanted Troutt to recognize her own dignity and the value of human life.

“I want her to know that she is a valuable human being,” Lawless said. “Afterall, that’s the crux of the pro-life movement. People are always watching. We have to show them Jesus. I am praying for her. I pray she sees life as valuable, that it’s not dependent on the clicks or shares on her media platform.”