Rally in Solidarity on April 7th for Title X

This is a guest post from Chloe Kessinger, Project and Design Coordinator with the Center for Gender Equity at Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR. She writes about the actions her school is taking on April 7th against Title X cuts and invites other groups to do the same. They are planning a die-in to symbolize the the unacceptable number of preventable pregnancy related complications that occur every minute of every day and to highlight the importance of family planning funding. This is a great example of an action you too organize on your campus to participate in our Don’t Be Fooled by Fake Clinics Week of Action and show solidarity with the National Day of Action for Title X on April 7th as well as participating in our Birth Control Access Campaign

The elimination of Title X will cut funding not only for 900 Planned Parenthood clinics in the country, but also 4,500 other family planning clinics that utilize Title X funding to serve low-income women and men in their communities.

On April 7th there is going to be a rally in Washington D.C. to stand against the proposed elimination of Title X, but many students cannot afford to fly out and join the fight, so the Center for Gender Equity at Pacific University intends to bring the fight to local students.

On April 7th the Center for Gender Equity (CGE) will be gathering students in the University Center at Pacific University to 'drop dead' between the hours of 12 and 1 pm. This demonstration is

to raise awareness for the need of Title X funding through representing the statistic of one woman in the world dies every 60 seconds from a preventable pregnancy related complication. One student will be 'dropping dead' every 60 seconds so at the end of the hour the University Center will be full of 'dead' bodies.’ If Title X funding is taken away, and Planned Parenthood and independent women’s health clinics serving low-income women are stripped of federal funding for family planning, many more women will face these unnecessary complications.

We will also be tabling with pamphlets of information on Planned Parenthood and the value of all family planning clinics, as well as having laptops open to the website where students can sign a petition in support of Planned Parenthood. We will be encouraging people to wear pink in solidarity with Planned Parenthood.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, "The Title X Family Planning program was enacted in 1970 as Title X of the Public Health Service Act. Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services. The Title X program is designed to provide access to contraceptive services, supplies and information to all who want and need them. By law, priority is given to persons from low-income families."

Last month, the House voted to completely eliminate the 40 year-old Title X Program.

Current news on the situation is that the proposal of the House was rejected by the Senate and sent back to the house for revisions. No matter what the revisions are they will be UNACCEPTABLE to both the young women of this nation and all other people who seek help from family planning clinics. No cuts are acceptable to family planning. By cutting family planning in any way the young poor people of our nation will be made to suffer more then they already are. We need to stand up with all those protesting at the White House on April 7th to show our support for Title X funding and the Planned Parenthood Organization and all women’s health care providers.

The CGE would like to invite any and all other schools and student led organizations to participate on April 7th in some way. Wearing pink, and handing out information is a good way to start spreading the word on the vital importance of organizations like Planned Parenthood.

Another Funding Cut for Woman's Health Care?

We need you to take action NOW -- TODAY.

We hope, by now, that you've heard about the two horrible bills introduced in the House that restrict abortion access and funding. The "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act" (HR3) would penalize companies--in the form of tax credits--that offer health plans that cover abortion and would deny federal subsidies to people who have abortion-covered healthcare. And the "Protect Life Act" (HR358) would "prohibit federal funds from being used to cover any part of the costs of a health plan that includes coverage of abortion services."

On top of this, the Republican led House is trying to completely eliminate the Title X Family Planning Program in the FY2011 federal budget (continuing resolution HR1).

Yes, FAMILY PLANNING in the United States is on the chop-block.

Title X is the ONLY federal funding dedicated to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and critical related preventive health services. Title X is "designed to provide access to contraceptive services, supplies and information to all who want and need them. By law priority is give to person from low-income families." For many women across the country, this crucial family planning care is the only medical they receive each year.

According to Cecile Richards of Planned Parenthood "The real impact of eliminating the Title X program is that millions of women across the country will lose access to basic primary and preventive health care, such as lifesaving cancer screenings, contraception, STI testing and treatment, and annual exams...For every public dollar invested in family planning, taxpayers save nearly $4." Title X saves taxpayers money, and more importantly it saves women's lives.

Along with cutting $318 billion for Title X family planning, check out just a few of the other programs the continuing resolution will cut (compared to FY 2010 levels):

• $110 million from the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative (eliminating all funding)
• $1.4 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• $747 million for the Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC)
• $50 million for Maternal and Child Health Block Grants
• $1.6 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  Thanks to SIECUS for this budget analysis:

WE CAN NOT STAND FOR THIS. TAKE ACTION NOW!

So what can we do to have our voices heard?

We ask you to join in solidarity with Choice USA as part of a National Youth Call-In. Please call your Representatives TODAY and let them know you support reproductive justice.

Call 800-600-5774 and ask for your Representative. (Don't know who your rep is? Go here and type in your zip code to find out.)

Here's a sample script to guide your call:

As a young person/student living in _________ (city/state/district), I am calling Representative ___________ to urge him/her to vote ‘no’ on HR 3 , the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act and HR 358, the Protect Life Act. In addition, I strongly urge __________ to not vote to cut funding for Title X Family Planning, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, and other programs for women and children. Abortion access, preventative services, and health and wellness programs are vitally important to young people's lives. As a young person that votes in this district, I believe that taking away insurance coverage for abortion and family planning services disproportionately hurts young people, who are more likely to live in poverty and at a higher risk for unintended pregnancy. We should be protecting the health and decision-making power of young people, not stripping it away. In short, these restrictions hurt everyone. Young people voted in record numbers in the past two elections for more jobs. We want and need jobs, not restricted reproductive healthcare. If you support us now by voting down HR 3 and HR 358, we will support you by giving you our votes in 2012. Please vote with young people, not against us. Do you know if Representative ___________ is planning to oppose these bills?

Call your reps, and make the youth voice heard!! Tell all your friends about these draconian bills and encourage them to call in, too!

P.S. Don't forget to wear a silver ribbon to show solidarity for reproductive rights.

Proposed cuts to California's Family PACT Family Planning Program

Governor Schwarzenegger released a proposed budget last Friday that would drastically cut funding for California's family planning program, Family PACT. Family PACT helps fund comprehensive reproductive health clinics that serve primarily low-income or uninsured populations throughout the state. Family PACT funding enables people to obtain essential services like birth control, prenatal care, STD testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, pap smears, cancer screenings and more.

For every $1 the state spends on Family PACT, the federal government matches it with $9. For every $1 the state spends on family planning services, the state saves $9.25 in future medical and social service costs associated with unintended pregnancy. Cutting funding for Family PACT will not help the state budget crisis, it will actually make it worse.

Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California is leading the charge against the proposed cuts. You can take action from anywhere in the state by calling your legislators and following Planned Parenthood's sample script. You can contact your local affiliate group to find out how to take action in your area.

In Los Angeles, join in a lunchtime rally TOMORROW, Tuesday 5/18 from 12-1pm at the Governor's Office at 300 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, 90013. Planned Parenthood will provide signs.

If you're in California, take action on your campus! Educate students about the benefits of Family PACT and the dire consequences cuts to the program will have. Encourage students to call their legislators and ask them to oppose the proposed cuts.

bound4life propaganda

So I just found this little number and thought I would share. Apparently Bound4life, an anti-choice organization,has pulled together a video claiming that Planned Parenthood is nothing more than an epicenter for racial genocide. Interesting. They have made this video, full of historical information not relevant and out of context, to propagate their agenda to close facilities that provide abortion and family planning services.

They claim that Planned Parenthood has built its facilities in areas with higher numbers of Black and Hispanic population, because they want to target that population for more abortions.Not because these communities are lacking resources and sex education to prevent unwanted pregnancies, or have the finical capabilities to seek private abortions. Even if this were true, WHICH IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT, this claim is insulting to women and families in these communities. The women seeking abortion and family plannings services aren't naive, as bound4life would like you to believe. The women who seek abortions are doing so for a reason. I highly doubt that Planned Parenthood has cast some sort of spell on their communities forcing all the women to have abortions. Apparently Bound4life doesn't believe these women are strong and smart enough to make their own choices. Furthermore I have a hard time digesting this video as fact, knowing it comes from an organization that doesn't support a woman's right to choose.

Emergency Rally in Los Angeles at 12 Noon TODAY!

Stand up for women's health and join Planned Parenthood Los Angeles for an emergency rally in Los Angeles TODAY at 12 noon!

Governer Schwarzenegger has just announced his intention to cut funding for family planning services - including the life-saving cancer-screening, contraception and STI testing and treatment services that millions of Californians rely on.

Today, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles will be rallying to thank a long time supporter and ally in the fight to protect family planning, Speaker-Elect John A. Perez, and to stand up against cuts to these vital services!

Where: 320 4th St., Los Angeles 90013.
When: Tuesday, January 12, 12 - 1pm.

PPLA will provide signs.

Hope to see you there!

Anti-Women "Pence Amendment" Defeated

Amid the chaos surrounding health care reform, feminists can take some comfort in Friday's defeat of the Pence Amendment. A press release from Planned Parenthood explains the importance of this victory: "The amendment, if passed, would have denied family planning services to millions of women, men and teens by restricting Title X federal family planning funds from going to Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers."

A comfortable majority, 247-183, rejected this threat to women's health. Help keep this pro-woman momentum going by joining FMF interns tomorrow in a counter-protest to Operation Rescue's demonstration!

Photo credit goes to Stacy Lynn Baum's flickr.

Birth Control: Pills, Patches, and Rings- Oh My!

Let’s face it: if you’re heterosexual, sexually active, and don’t want to get pregnant, a method of birth control is pretty much a necessity. It’s definitely the safe, smart choice. The average person choosing a method, however, may easily be overwhelmed by all of the options available at doctors' offices and clinics. I’ve been fascinated by/obsessed with said options since FMF’s Medical Director, Dr. Beth Jordan, gave the interns a lecture about modern birth control methods and how they work!

When choosing a method of birth control, there are several factors to consider: frequency, cost, percentage of effectiveness, reaction to hormones, etc. Fear of needles, memory, and a desire to have a menstrual period are also important when consulting your health care provider and making the decision.

I think it’s amazing that there seems to be an option for almost everyone. If you don’t have a good memory or have a problem with needles, you could consider the birth control injection. If you do have a good memory and want to stop taking birth control at your discretion, then the daily pill would be worth exploring. If you want a method with less maintenance and don’t mind inserting or monitoring something on your own, then the birth control ring or patch are potentially great choices.

Planned Parenthood has a fun, short quiz that you can take to figure out what method(s) may be good for you. It is in no way prescribing medical advice, but just allows you to find some options to consider before you consult a health care provider about a method!
If you’re looking for a method, take the quiz now….I might have already taken it five times.

*photo compliments of tellthemsc, flickr

Green-Pink Conference Day 2: Takin' it to the streets!

On June 20th, the West Coast FMF interns and other feminist and environmental activists attending the Green-Pink Western Regional Training traveled to Planned Parenthood Los Angeles' beautiful headquarters for a day of action and action planning! Co-sponsored by the Feminist Majority Foundation, the Sierra Club, and Planned Parenthood LA, the training was an opportunity for people to see women's rights, reproductive health, and environmental activits find common ground and develop a plan of action.

On Saturday, we started out thinking about how to get public attention for our concerns through community organizing and advocacy. Through the session, Community Organizing 101, we learned about the important tactics in effective organizing. We then put our knowledge into action distributing literature on Planned Parenthood's services around South-Central Los Angeles, and raising awareness of the low-/no-cost health services available to the community.

A common misconception is that Planned Parenthood only provides birth control, but the reality is that PP provides testing for STIs, HPV screenings, counseling, gynecological exams, cancer screenings, and more, for both women and men. Planned Parenthood is an integral part of low-income communities.

With the help of all the FMF interns and other conference attendees, we distributed 3300 door hangers advertising the free and low-cost services, in just 2 hours! Planned Parenthood now expects to see a rise in calls and appointments.

After the community action, the conference concluded with a section on advocacy. We learned how easy it is for someone to take a stand on an issue they care about: calling their Senator or Congressperson, circulating a petition, and even visiting your Senator or Congressperson in their field office! Yes, that is right - you can go and have your voice heard! Literally!

We then developed our personal goals and plans of action for when we get back to campus. Julia, another FMF intern and I, developed a plan to tackle welfare reform!

I urge you to speak up for the global issues you feel passionately about. Visit your representatives, launch an activist group, and develop your plan of action. Consider taking action on FMF's Afghan Women's Health Initiative, to reduce maternal mortality in Afghanistan, or FMF's Global Reproductive Rights and Health Campaign, to ensure that women around the world have access to the vital reproductive health services they want and need.

-Anita Lederer, FMF Campus Intern

Day One of the Green-Pink Regional Training Conference Inspires Activism

Last Friday, FMF and Ms. interns, along with about 20 feminist and environmental activists from across the Western states, participated in the Green-Pink Regional Leadership Training conference on Reproductive Rights and Health and the Environment, co-sponsored by FMF, the Sierra Club, and Planned Parenthood Los Angeles. The fusion of these three powerful groups resulted in a conference that was both informative and inspirational.

The first day of the conference served as an opportunity for FMF and the Sierra Club to explore the ways in which the issues of environmental responsibility and women's empowerment are inter-related, through info sessions as well as fun activities. In particular, the Global Reproductive Health and the Environment session outlined the connection between women's empowerment and ability to access and afford family planning, and environmental issues as they relate to overconsumption and population growth.

One issue that really sparked our interest was the impact that access to clean water (or lack thereof), has on women. We also learned some startling facts about the fate of women in Afghanistan. 1 in 6 Afghan women will die during childbirth and many more will suffer from obstetric fistula, which is an easily repaired medical condition, and results due to lack of access to medical care and skilled attendance during childbirth.

To give you a glimpse of some more of the shocking statistics and issues we discussed, consider the facts that:

- 200 million women around the world want to access family planning services, don't have them.
- Education is the single most important factor in determining how many children a woman will have.
- In democratic societies around the world, women only comprise 18% of parliamentary seats.

The list of depressing realities went on and on, but by examining these truths and injustices we were able to see that women's empowerment - through education, household bargaining power, political power, equal wages, employment opportunities, equal access to health care and nutrition, ability to access family planning despite financial or sociological barriers, and equal representation under the law - is absolutely crucial to changing the fate of the world!

After hearing about the reality of the problems facing women and the environment, we were all eager to discuss some solutions. The West Coast FMF interns took the stage as we presented our research on the United Nation's Milennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs were agreed upon by 189 nations in 2000 to develop efforts to combat poverty, hunger, discrimination and more. They truly consider issues of gender and the environment in all of their approaches. Unfortunatley, in our research, we discovered that while some progress has been made, more must be done to ensure that the lives of women have dramatically improved by 2015.

Throughout the day we also came across the fact that the U.S., the richest nation in the world, has consistently fallen behind on its promise to commit, at the bare minimum, .7% of its Gross National Income to international family planning funding. We must urge the U.S. to uphold its promises to the women of the world!

Cassie Gardener of the Sierra Club encouraged us to host a Green-Pink Party. This event raises awareness of the inter-relations of women's empowerment and environmental issues while raising $300 to pay for the life-saving surgery for a woman with obstetric fistula.

To conclude the day, Allie McDonald, FMF National Campus Organizer, and Cassie discussed how we can form effective campus organizations to address these issues. This was an opportunity for those who've been involved with campus activism to share helpful advice and ideas, and for those who want to launch a new group to learn the tricks of the trade.

Overall, day one of the conference was an excellent opportunity to discuss important issues with fellow social justice activists. In addition to learning more about these problems, we were inspired to implement solutions on our campuses and communities.

-Danae Garfield, FMF Campus Intern & Hastings College student

Photo: FMF interns Bonarene Wakam and Mary Kwan make their way through the "Barriers to Family Planning" obstacle course.