Gwyneth Paltrow releases ‘Hands Off My Vagina’ candle to mark anniversary of abortion ruling
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Gwyneth Paltrow is releasing a new limited-edition candle to mark the anniversary of a landmark US Supreme Court ruling on abortion rights.
The actor announced the launch in a post to her Instagram on Thursday 20 January, sharing a video of the lit candle.
The candle, which has been developed in partnership with Heretic Parfum, comes in a black jar with a white and red label, and is named “Hands Off My Vagina”. It has scents of cacao, coriander and hinoki cypress, a Japanese plant.
Writing in the caption, Paltrow said the candle honours the anniversary of the historic Roe v Wade ruling on 22 January 1973.
In its decision, the US Supreme Court legalised abortion in the US, ruling that a woman’s right to an abortion falls within the right to privacy protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.
It came after a 25-year-old single woman, Norma McCorvey challenged the abortion laws in Texas under the pseudonym “Jane Roe”.
The ruling dictated that state governments do not have the power to prohibit abortions. However, this has come under pressure in recent years in some US states.
As of September 2021, abortion is illegal in Texas once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which may be as early as six weeks into pregnancy.
Paltrow said $25 (£18) from each candle sold will be donated to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Foundation’s Reproductive Freedom Project.
“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 where they’re not invited. Your reproductive organs; your choice,” she said.
The candles, which cost $75 (£55) dollars each, will be sold on the Goop website and donations from the proceeds will be made until July 1.
In a post to the Goop website, Paltrow said she had chosen to create the candle as “a small sign of support for reproductive freedom – and against subjugation”.
Douglas Little, perfumer and founder of Heretic, said the scent of the candle “the power and strength of the great feminine”.
“We chose hinoki cypress for its ability to lift spirits and create a grounding strength and sense of calm,” Little said.
“Damascena 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,” Little added.
