Respect and access are key

By Autumn

I promised my husband a date at the movies this past Tuesday night. What he didn’t know was that I was taking him to see 12^th and Delaware which was being screened in a lecture room at Virginia Commonwealth University, courtesy of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation, NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation and the VCU Department of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies. It was hardly the kind of place where a guy can do the fake yawn move, but I think that in the end he enjoyed the show. We grabbed some bottles of water and a handful of Starburst candy, gratis, and squeezed into our plastic lecture hall chairs to await the dimming of the lights.

The movie, which features a women’s health clinic and a crisis pregnancy center (CPC) that share the corner of 12^th and Delaware in a Florida town, was extremely well done and completely free of narration, leaving the viewer to simply observe the operations of both organizations as they interact with patients and each other. Observation was all that it took to make me want to scream. The CPC used all their usual harassing and deceptive tactics, including misinforming of the gestational age of the fetus and providing medically-inaccurate information about contraception. My personal *headdesk* moment occurred toward the end of the movie. The film crew visits with 15 year-old Widline whom we met at the CPC in the beginning of the film. In a voiceover, Widline tells us that she decided to keep her baby because the CPC told her she’d be infertile if she aborted. Widline tells us that rather than get a safe abortion, she drinks vinegar and tries to miscarry. Of course, the audience knows that Widline will most likely give birth to a child which she is unable, physically or psychologically to care for.

The panel discussion afterward featured Senator Donald McEachin, D-Henrico, Shelley Abrams, an owner of several women’s health centers in the southern U.S., Vanessa Wellbery from NARAL Pro-Choice America and Joey Richards from NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. The discussion was very lively from the start and took on a life of its own. In fact, the main topic of the evening was something not even covered in the documentary – the race-based attacks that the anti-choice movement is now disseminating to African-American communities. Senator McEachin noted the entire community must be involved in combating these tactics, and called for greater involvement by pro-choice proponents in refuting these attacks. (For example, see some of the great work by Trust Black Women.)

I would go a step farther. In addition to fighting racist tactics from anti-choice groups, we need to do a better job of explaining the need for choice to the next generation. One way to do this is to ensure that we have comprehensive sex education in our schools, so our young people can learn to make lifelong, healthy choices. Get involved, find out what your school or your child’s school is teaching and make it clear that you want medically-accurate and age-appropriate facts taught.

Everyone deserves respect. And everyone deserves access.

Promoting support without shame at Virginia Tech

By Kathleen Dwyer

Virginia Tech Support Without Shame Campus Leader

This semester I have been building an on-campus group of pro-choice advocates to participate in an education campaign about reproductive healthcare in the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities. This is the Support Without Shame campaign, part of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. As the campus grassroots organizer for Virginia Tech, I raise awareness concerning crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in general and Blacksburg’s Pregnancy Resource Center specifically.

The Support Without Shame campaign has been busy with social media outreach, information booths, and recruiting, training and mobilizing volunteers to participate in on-campus advocacy. I organized meetings and presentations with health center administration, Virginia Tech classes, and student organizations to promote reproductive justice on campus and to educate about the current dangers CPCs pose to comprehensive and respectful reproductive health care. I even had a couple opinion editorials appear in the campus newspaper.

On April 5^th, the campaign worked with Virginia Tech’s Young Democrats to cosponsor a film presentation of “12^th & Delaware.” (See below for pictures.)

Spreading the word

“12^th & Delaware” is an award-winning documentary from the makers of Academy Award®-nominated “Jesus Camp.” The documentary follows activity on a quiet street corner in Florida where a comprehensive women’s health clinic stands literally across the street from a CPC. The film presents the tactics of this CPC to persuade women to carry their pregnancies to term no matter the situation. The film also shows how anti-choice groups and individuals harass women entering the women’s health clinic across the road.

Although I was already familiar with CPCs and their tactics, I still found myself angered and disturbed by this Florida CPC. The director of the CPC is a very religious woman, yet she and her coworkers lie to a woman about the gestational age of the fetus. Such use of lies to dissuade women from all their options seems contrary to her religious views. The film shows her manipulating women’s thoughts and feelings during this time of crisis. She even shows them grotesque videos of what she claims are an abortion procedure. In some cases, these same women are later shown at the comprehensive women’s health clinic, clearly shaken and terrified, seeking support and answers. Despite my familiarity with CPCs, I was appalled by the audacity of this woman and even more upset knowing that this goes on all over the country.

Discussing the film

“12^th & Delaware” exemplified the reasons I joined this campaign. I can’t sit idly by while women are lied to, manipulated, and harassed by people who think they know what’s best for everyone. I believe in providing medically accurate information, respectful counseling, and unbiased support. I believe in giving women the truth and letting them decide what’s best for them in their personal situation. “12^th & Delaware” reminded me how important that is.

With petition signatures, an active Facebook page, and a growing number of people reached through meetings and tablings, this campaign has made an impressive initial impact on the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg community. We conclude the Spring semester having garnered strong initial support, but with nearly 30,000 students, we have more work to do on the Virginia Tech campus.  Many students still don’t know what a CPC is. We also have several people working against our campaign to promote comprehensive and respectful reproductive health options for the women in our community.

This situation exemplifies the work Support Without Shame has to do on our campus: while the director of the women’s clinic at Virginia Tech refuses to refer patients to the local CPC, the general health clinic has doctors who do refer patients there.

Talking about the dangerous practices of CPCs

The Support Without Shame Campaign at Virginia Tech has made great strides this semester, but the campaign is just getting started.

To get involved, email vt@naralva.org

General Assembly Update: February 2

Happy Wednesday everyone! Welcome to this Week’s 2011 General Assembly update!

There is a lot going on this week as the Assembly prepares for next week’s “Crossover,” so let’s get right to it, starting with last week’s…

Pro-Choice Lobby Day!

This past Thursday, the Virginia Pro-Choice Coalition hosted our annual Pro-Choice Lobby Day. Despite a hectic morning of cancelled buses, snowy roads and a cancelled flight from New York, we had a great turnout! We spent the morning meeting with various legislators, letting them know where we stand on choice-related bills and other issues, and had many positive experiences. Participants noticed that when they shared personal stories legislators and their aides seemed especially receptive.We then got a chance to see SB 967, which would require Family Life Education programs be medically accurate, pass out of the Senate Education and Health Committee! After the meetings and two great breakout sessions (one hosted by our former campus intern Anna, focusing on her excellent work on CPC awareness at University of Mary Washington) took to the streets, holding signs and letting the General Assembly know that we are pro-choice and we will not tolerate restrictions on access to reproductive health! Be sure to check out the pictures on Facebook. While we were rallying, a reporter from WRIR News Richmond interviewed us about the day.

We then marched over to the Methodist church for our lunch presentation, where Sara Hutchinson, the Domestic Program Director for Catholics for Choice was our guest speaker. She spoke about the influence the bishops have behind the scenes in Congress, the national reproductive rights debate, what it means for states and the importance of reaching out to every legislator asking them to support reproductive health access. Sara’s presentation reminded us all of the importance of holding our elected officials accountable!

Everyone in attendance seemed to have a great time, and we’ll look forward to next year’s Lobby Day (most likely with plans for a snow day)!

Of course, one major point of Lobby Day is to lobby, so let’s look at where the bills on which we lobbied currently lie.

HB 2147

Anti-choice lawmakers in Virginia continue the unfortunate nationwide trend of doing everything in their power to limit or eliminate access to vital abortion care. Delegate Benjamin Cline (R-Amherst), is the patron of HB 2147, which would prohibit private insurance companies from offering abortion coverage for women. This bill would even prohibit necessary care that would protect the health and life of Virginia women. Late in the evening yesterday, the House Commerce and Labor subcommittee #1 heard the bill. After the sponsor seemed confused about how exchanges would actually work, the vote came down to a tie, which means the bill was tabled! However, as soon as we left the room, we learned the bill was being resurrected and voted on again. The subcommittee called in Delegate Bill Janis (R-Glen Allen), the majority whip, to break the tie. Unfortunately, with Janis’ vote, the subcommittee voted to report the bill to committee.  This means the House Commerce and Labor Committee could hear the bill tomorrow! If your delegate is a member of the Committee, please contact her or him and urge them to vote against HB 2147. (Click here to find the members of the Committee.)

HB 2433

HB 2433 was a bill mandating ultrasounds. It would have required every pregnant woman to undergo an ultrasound before obtaining an abortion, placing yet another medically unnecessary, ideologically motivated burden on Virginia women. We recently learned the House version of the bill was deleted as the patron was over his bill limit. The bill has now appeared in the Senate as SB 1435, patroned by Senator Ralph Smith (R-Roanoke). The bill is currently in the Senate Education and Health Committee.

HB 1428

On Tuesday of last week, HB 1428 (known as a “targeted regulation of abortion providers,” or “TRAP,” bill, because it singles out abortion providers) was presented to the House floor. There were strong arguments on both sides. The bill’s patron, Delegate Dickie Bell (R-Augusta), described the bill as only requiring defibrillators and generators, which is false. It also imposes new, costly licensing restrictions not required of other similar medical providers! During the debate, Delegate Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) introduced an amendment that would require abortion providers in Virginia to adhere to the standards approved by a 2000 South Carolina lawsuit (Greenville Women’s Clinic v. Bryant). Republicans responded by saying that writing court decisions into the code of Virginia would be a first and could set a bad precedent. Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed and the amendment failed. During the hubbub, choice champion Delegate David Englin (D-Alexandria), argued that a vote for the bill was a vote against women’s access to health care. Be sure to watch the video of his floor speech!

Unfortunately, the House voted to approve the bill by a vote of 66 to 33. If your delegate voted for the bill, please express your disappointment that they would choose politics over women’s health. If your delegate voted against the bill, please thank them for standing up for Virginia women and access to reproductive health care. The bill is now in the Senate Education and Health Committee.

Good News!

As we mentioned earlier, the Senate Education and Health Committee passed SB 967, the pro-choice Family Life Education bill patroned by Senator Ralph Northam (D-Norfolk).  Many organizations stood up in support of the bill, including Planned Parenthood, ACLU-VA, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Alliance, Virginia NOW, and NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia.  No one stood up against the bill! This is a victory for Virginia youth, as this bill requires Family Life Education programs to be medically accurate and evidence based! We expect the full Senate to hear the bill anytime this week, and it may come down to just a few votes. So please contact your senator today and ask her or him to vote for SB 967!

HB 2436 (Insurance Choice Act)

HB 2436, or the Insurance Choice Act, is our signature bill, patroned by Delegate Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria). This bill would maintain current status quo of abortion coverage for women in the private insurance market. This bill would maintain women’s access to vital reproductive health care! Suprisingly we did not get as much of a fight as we expected on the bill. For now, the bill was tabled, which is good news, because it means it was not defeated outright. Stay tuned for more!

HB 1488

On Friday, HB 1488, patroned by Delegate Patrick Hope (D-Arlington) was in the militia police and public safety committee. This bill would prevent pregnant inmates from being shackled or restrained during transport, labor or delivery. Other states have passed similar regulations that ensure the woman’s health and the health of her fetus. Yet Virginia continues to have instances where women are shackled and/or restrained during delivery! It defies human dignity.  The bill was passed by the subcommittee unanimously and then went to the committee right away. Unfortunately the bill was tabled after some debate. Yet on a positive note, directive for the chair, Delegate Beverly Sherwood (R-Winchester) will write a letter to the Board of Corrections to review and make policy regarding the treatment of pregnant inmates.

Whew, we know that is a lot. Thanks for bearing with us during this fast-paced General Assembly session. Be sure to keep checking our website, Facebook page or Twitter feed for more updates! As always, feel free to email us with any questions or concerns!

[Thanks to our intern Hallie for her work on this post.]

Pro-choice and pro-woman

You have spoken up Virginia. In only two weeks, nearly 400 of our dedicated supporters and activists have signed our petition encouraging the new Chesterfield County crisis pregnancy center to commit to higher standards of accountability. You are by now familiar with our simple challenge to the “Pregnancy Help Center of Chester”:

Be honest and upfront in advertising and other communication with women.

Share only scientifically and medically accurate information.

Support comprehensive, science-based sex education in their community.

That’s it. This is not a difficult task. Any group that claims to support and assist women should have no problem being upfront with medically accurate, honest information and with what services one does and does not provide. A recent article in TIME Magazine has CPCs pretending to be victims. We know better. We know from our in-depth investigation of CPCs throughout Virginia, that they overwhelmingly promote inaccurate information (such as “all condoms have holes,” and abortion will lead to breast cancer), and purposely advertise as comprehensive health providers when they are anything but. Attempting to convince every woman to carry her pregnancy to term no matter what her circumstances in life or personal convictions, and supporting abstinence as the only acceptable contraceptive method is not comprehensive care. It is, plain and simple, bullying and insensitive propagation of ideology.

NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia believes that the women of the commonwealth deserve better. We believe that all women deserve comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased information when making decisions about carrying a pregnancy to term. Some women will choose to carry the pregnancy to term and raise the child; some will choose to carry the pregnancy to term and place the child for adoption; some will choose to terminate the pregnancy. All of these women deserve the right to information and to make their own choice.

Choice is about trusting women. Simple as that. If we believe in the equality of women, and trust that women can and should decide what is best for their own lives, then we support the myriad of choices available to women concerning pregnancy. We support access to and information about all contraceptive methods, sex education, pre-, peri-, and post-natal care, adoption services, abortion services, paid family leave, access to areas for breastfeeding when returning to work after a pregnancy, and many more. Pro-choice is pro-woman, pro-family, pro-information.

This why challenging the “Pregnancy Help Center of Chester” specifically, and CPCs generally, is so important. We trust women, but we must fight to ensure that women have access to accurate and unbiased sources of information. Rhetoric and passion are necessary, but access is essential. Women must be able to go to comprehensive, full service medical providers, not misleading, ideology-based fake “clinics.”

Will the Chester CPC answer the challenge? Will they say and show that they trust women? Or will they be part of the same detrimental, anti-woman dogma? Let’s find out together. Help us protect choice in Virginia and raise awareness of CPCs by:

• Sharing the petition with your friends and family.
• Submitting a letter to the editor or an op-ed piece to your local newspaper.
• Helping us bring one of our “Crisis Pregnancy Center Road Tour” events to your community.
• Making a contribution to NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia today to invest in our work on this and other reproductive rights and health issues!

Contact us at  info@naralva.org if you have any questions about getting more involved.

Yours in choice.

Time magazine misses some key points in story about CPCs

A brand-new TIME article about “crisis pregnancy centers” (CPCs) mentioned our nearly year-long, substantive investigation into identifiable CPCs in the commonwealth of Virginia. If you haven’t read the report, be sure to check out all our findings for yourself. We are excited that national media like TIME magazine are highlighting the amazing work of our volunteers and staff to stop these deceptive facilities. But we don’t think the article painted the whole picture about our amazing work.

Crisis pregnancy centers are deceptive facilities. They purposefully mislead and overwhelmingly provide inaccurate information to women concerning pregnancy-related options. NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia and our supporters and volunteers have worked arduously to promote accurate and science based information and access to all resources for pregnant women. We have worked to ensure that the Virginia “Choose Life” license plate revenue does not go to suspect (and potentially non-existent) entities. (The Washington Post published an article that exposed how one CPC getting money doesn’t even exist.) We have worked to ensure that college campuses do not refer students to centers that will not provide medically accurate information. We have worked to ensure that CPCs do not utilize deception and evasion to trick people into coming into their facilities, by asking student health centers and the state legislature to support and promote policies that simply ask CPCs to be honest about what services they do (and do NOT) provide. This should not be difficult for any organization that truly has nothing to hide.

In addition to this work that we have, and will continue to do, we are challenging any new crisis pregnancy centers to hold themselves accountable. When we learned of a new CPC opening in Chesterfield County, Virginia, we launched a petition asking that the clinic hold themselves to a higher standard and commit to being honest and upfront in their advertising and other communication with women, sharing only scientifically and medically accurate information, and supporting comprehensive, science-based sex education in their community.

As we said from the beginning, no matter where a person stands on the issue of abortion, no one believes women should be mislead about their health-care options.

We will continue to work for the people of Virginia to make sure they have access to accurate information, access to and knowledge of all their options, and access to all choices, whatever they deem appropriate for their own lives.

We are pro-choice  Virginia!

Will Virginia’s newest “crisis pregnancy center” tell the truth?

There are at least 52 crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in Virginia (See a map here). There are less than half that many comprehensive reproductive health clinics in the state. It’s a sad state of affairs when anti-choice, dishonest, fake clinics outnumber actual providers, especially for the women who are seeking unbiased, accurate healthcare information.

We are sad to report that another CPC is coming to our state. Calling themselves the “Pregnancy Help Center of Chesterfield,” the CPC plans to open in Chesterfield, Virginia (between Richmond and Petersburg) this fall.

We don’t know if this CPC plans to follow in the footsteps of the majority of CPCs across the country but we strongly hope for an honest center that truly aims to help the women they serve, without providing medically inaccurate information and relying on deception and scare-tactics.

Our own study of crisis pregnancy centers had 68% of all Virginian CPCs sharing false information, a congressional study found 87% sharing false information, and many other states have had similar investigations and results.

On the facebook page devoted to the new Chesterfield CPC, one of the organizers writes, “There were more than 700 babies aborted in our county in 2008. An average of 25 girls per each of our 11 high schools got pregnant.” To us, this suggests the need for science-based, comprehensive sex education!

Maybe this CPC can be different and actually advocate for science-based comprehensive sex education, and provide clients with birth control and other contraceptives. Maybe this CPC will break from the norm and provide clients seeking services with access to condoms and true information about all options when faced with an unplanned pregnancy.

We’re putting them up to that challenge. Will you join us? Sign our petition and send it along to a friend! Let’s change the statistics of Chesterfield and hope this new CPC to a new standard!