'Hands Off My Vagina': Gwyneth Paltrow marks US abortion anniversary with new candle
Gwyneth Paltrow's company goop has launched a new vagina-themed candle in honour of the anniversary of Roe v Wade on 22 January.
The landmark US supreme court ruling in 1973 held that a woman's right to abortion fell within the right to privacy protected by the Fourteenth Amendment, i.e it's their right to choose.
The actor and entrepreneur explained the reason behind the candle's name, Hands Off My Vagina, writing, "The word 'vagina' holds a lot of power. And yet, there is a recurring need to say: Hands off. Hands off our vaginas in any context when they're not invited."
"Your reproductive organs, your choice," she added.
The ruling hasn't been entirely safe over the past few years, with US states like Texas and Mississippi attempting to restrict abortion rights.
Paltrow said goop will donate $25 from the sale of each limited-edition candle sold on goop.com and in its retail stores to the ACLU Foundation's Reproductive Freedom Project.
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Introducing Hands off My Vagina, goop's website says, "We believe in reproductive freedom, body integrity, and equal rights regardless of gender."
It explains the purpose of the candle, and raising money for ACLU, is "to aid its fight to protect the rights and basic freedoms that are under attack in America".
Why a candle? "Lighting a candle has long been associated with prayer, intention-setting, hope, and, in more recent decades, the feminism movement as it developed. Which is in part why we chose to create this particular candle as a small sign of support for reproductive freedom – and against subjugation," says goop.
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Douglas Little, perfumer and founder of Heretic, who collaborated with Gwyneth on the candle, said on the scent, "We chose cypress for its ability to lift spirits and create a grounding strength and sense of calm.
"Damascene rose is prized for encouraging communication and balancing and strengthening the heart chakra.
"And we included flints of toasted cacao to deepen and add sensuality, plus coriander for sparkle."
In 2020, goop received much controversy for releasing its candle This Smells Like My Vagina, which Hands Off My Vagina is a limited-edition sister candle to.
The new candles cost $75 each, and donations will be made on each candle sold until it sells out or until July 1.
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