The image of five women dressed as handmaids from Margaret Atwood’s classic dystopian novel has generated more comment than any words spoken during the Tynwald Day ceremony.
No signs, no chants, it was a protest that was stunning in its simplicity - and its effectiveness.
Within a week, the Handmaids IoM Facebook page gained more than 1,300 likes. The vast majority of comments on social media have been supportive.
When the pressure group HEAR (Humanity and Equality in Abortion Reform), which is against a relaxation of abortion laws, described the protest as ’potty’, dozens took the group to task.
One of the protestors, a 38-year-old woman, admits that, days later, she is still feeling the buzz from the impact the protest created.
She insists the group is pro-choice, as opposed to pro-abortion.
She, herself, is trying for a child. In the past, she has suffered a miscarriage.
It was a controversial anti-abortion protest in Strand Street, Douglas, that spurred the handmaids into action. Rescue.im protestors displayed placards with slogans such as ’abortion is murder’ in the main shopping concourse.
’We were a group of like-minded people having a conversation in a private forum and we were expressing how annoyed we were with the protest going on in the town,’ the woman explained.
’I said, "I wish I could stand there in front of them in a handmaid costume."
’Tynwald Day was coming up and there was a small core of us saying, "We are definitely going to do this."’
She says the handmaids - those who staged the protest and those who supported them - are women of all ages and from all professional backgrounds. Some have children. Some have had abortions. All agree that the argument is that a woman should have control over her own body.
’It is not that we are horrid harridans that don’t want babies to exist,’ she says. ’It is about it being the right time - and that is personal choice.
’I have had pregnancy loss and I am trying to get pregnant. Some of our members don’t want children, some have children and some want children in the future.
’A woman should be allowed to decide what to do with her own body. If you don’t want an abortion, don’t have one.’
She rejects the assertion that some women could use abortion as a form of contraception. No one takes such a decision as the ’easy’ way, she says.
At Tynwald Day, the protestors wore veils, which are a feature in the book of The Handmaid’s Tale, but not in the television adaptation.
The Manx handmaid says anonymity is important because many are concerned they might face prejudice. But it is also in keeping with the depiction of a handmaid and the erosion of her identity as an individual.
’I have a business,’ she says. ’If somebody took against me, they could cause problems.
’I like the idea it is not about who we are as individuals, but to be a "faceless" women’s group.’
Should, however, the handmaids be called on, for instance, to give evidence to a select committee, she would consider removing the veil and revealing herself as a spokesman for the group.
Reaction to the protest has been largely positive. Praise has come from a wide range of people on social media and, on the day itself, there were more positive comments than negative.
Comparisons have been drawn with the famous protest by gay rights campaigner Alan Shea who, in 1991, when homosexuality was illegal, delivered a petition for redress of grievance in a concentration camp-style outfit. The suit he wore is now on display at the Manx Museum.
He has since been in touch with the handmaids to show support - something that has clearly delighted the group.
Just like the novel, the 38-year-old says it is not one single law or one change in isolation that is a catalyst for concern, but a gradual erosion of rights.
’Suddenly you turn around and say, "I have no rights at all."’
The handmaids’ protest was the most effective since 1991, but there were some initial nerves before stepping out.
’We were in the car when everyone pulled forward the veil,’ she says.
’It was an astonishing feeling. It felt very powerful - very empowering. At the end of it, we were all on a massive high.’
The outfits, including the cumbersome headgear, did pose some practical problems, she reveals.
’It was difficult to hear. We basically had to stand in a circle to talk, which, from the outside, looked amazing, but it was purely for practical reasons!’
She adds the group is prepared to make more appearances to raise awareness and also to counter any similar demonstrations such as the one organised by rescue.im
The handmaids, who are supportive of the group CALM (Campaign for Abortion Law Modernisation), say that anyone who wants to get involved can message the group via the Facebook page.