Way to go, Indiana.

If all continues the way its been going. Indiana will be the first state to defund Planned Parenthood as seen in the 66-32 vote yesterday at the House. Now it has been approved by both the Senate, House and is now expected to be signed by Gov. Mitch Daniel.

Not only will HB1210 cut the $3 million of federal money for Planned Parenthood's family planning and health services (excluding abortion services because abortion services are not federally funded) but it will also do the following:

• Ban abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy (never mind that the Supreme Court has ruled to make that mark at 24 weeks for fetal viability)
• Provide women of Indiana with potentially false information in attempt to scare them out of having an abortion (i.e. tell them they are at greater risk for breast cancer, increased chances of risky pregnancies and infertility)
• Guilt them into not having an abortion by forcing them to have an ultrasound and listen to the heartbeat (this can only be refused if they provide written refusal in advance.)
• State policy becomes: life begins at conception, and fetuses feel pain. This ideological information would be used as another form of guilt, and would be explicitly stated to a woman before she could have an abortion. 
• "Cost the state approximately $4 million in federal Medicaid family planning funds, because federal law does not allow states to choose which providers can offer family planning services to Medicaid patients."

If he decides to sign, I hope Gov. Daniel can live with himself knowing that tons of low income individuals in Indiana will be left without affordable cervical cancer screenings, access to contraception, breast exams and mammograms, testing for STI's and family planning information (which would be incredibly useful if you're trying to minimize the number of abortions!)

(Information for this post was provided by MS. Magazine online.)





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Verdict: Dillard's letters to Dr. Means are "intimidating," not "threatening"

Update on Dr. Mila Means: Wichita Judge would not issue an injunction requiring Angel Dillard (individual who has been targeting and threatening Dr. Means) to keep a distance of 250 feet from Dr. Means, her home and her clinic. The judge defined Dillard's messages "Intimidating" but was not clearly a "true threat,"

This request came from the Department of Justice under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. To refresh your memory, here is a clip of Dillard's "intimidating" (but DEFINITELY not threatening!) letter:


Thousands of people are already looking into your background, not just in Wichita, but from all over the U.S. They will know your habits and routines. They know where you shop, who your friends are, what you drive, where you live. You will be checking under your car everyday-because maybe today is the day someone places an explosive under it.

We will not let this abomination continue without doing everything we can to stop it.

What is also frightening is that many of these threats made by Dillard are eerily similar to those made against Dr. Tiller in 2009 before he was murdered by Scott Roeder. The same pattern of protests, threats and "intimidation" are being used against Dr. Means. 

As if more supporting information is needed to highlight how dangerous Dillard is, she is a huge fan of Roeder's, having exchanged letters and phone calls and plans to visit him in jail. 

Below is a picture of Angel Dillard. Am I the only one who sees the crazy in her eyes?

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

Ella (emergency contraceptive)

Thanks to reader, Emily, this newer emergency contraceptive was brought to my attention. Ella works in a way that is similar to EC's like Plan B except for the fact that you can take it up to 5 days after failed contraception on unprotected sex. It can be taken at any point in your cycle, and is especially helpful since sperm can live in your body for up to 5 days. There is even an option for you to enter what date you had unprotected sex to see if you should take Ella, or see your doctor.

You do need a prescription for Ella. Once you have one you can either bring it to your pharmacy (most pharmacies have this EC) or you can place the prescription online. As always this should not be used as birth control, and it is NOT the abortion pill. Simply put, it delays ovulation. Click on the image for more information.



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Haven't you heard? Planned Parenthood "sells" abortions

Please just read this statement, and tell me how ridiculous it is:

Planned Parenthood, the largest seller of abortions in the United States, has located 80% of its abortion clinics in minority neighborhoods, disproportionally targeting minorities for abortion.

Source: Operation Rescue website

A) Seller?? This isn't a freakin' flea market! They provide medical services.

B) I notice that OR fails to state the stats as to how much of PP's services involve abortion coverage. In case anyone hasn't heard, only 3% of their services are related to abortion. The remainder of their services can be found on this fact sheet.

I'm sure the reason PP typically sets up shop in minority neighborhoods has NOTHING to do with the fact that the remaining 97% of their medical services are more affordable for low income individuals which, SHOCKER OF ALL SHOCKS! are usually found in minority neighborhoods. In fact, people of low income don't need pap smears, breast exams, family planning information, preventative care or testing for STI's. It makes so much more sense for Planned Parenthood to take the 3% of their services and base their location around that, and then COERCE minority women into having abortions. PP sure has it all figured out! I'm sure Cecile Richards is sitting in her office right now, snickering and and thinking to herself, "Suckaaaaas!!!"

Come on, Operation Rescue. Perhaps you should look at all the facts before you start spewing your ideological garbage and trying to CREATE racism and tension where it doesn't exist. Planned Parenthood is nothing but incredibly supportive and helpful for these communities.

Can you say the same for your organization?

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

Kansas abortion provider targeted/harassed by pro-life activists

Dr. Mila Means is the target of anti-choice extremist protest and harassment in Wichita, KS including protests outside of her practice and even her home. The Wichita Operation Rescue (a.k.a. the group that tormented Dr. George Tiller until he was murdered in 2009) published Dr. Means' address on their website.

A complaint was filed against Angel Dillard, 44 for writing a threatening letter, claiming that thousands were looking into her background, claiming that "They will know your habits and routines. They know where you shop, who your friends are, what you drive, where you live."

According to the Feminist Majority Foundation,  Dillard is accused of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE), a law protecting abortion clinics. If enforced, FACE would prohibit Dillard from contacting Means or coming within 250 feet of her home and the clinic.

This harassing behavior has reportedly only gotten worse since Barack Obama was elected and Dr. Tiller's assassination.




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For once, a Republican with whom I see eye to eye!

Indiana's anti-Planned Parenthood bill passed the Senate 36-13, which banned funding for Planned Parenthood as well as any health providers that offered abortion services. This also requires clinics to now:

1. Tell women in writing that human life begins when the egg is fertilized

2. That abortions could increase infertility chances (right, as if the GOP gives a rat's a** about my reproductive health) 

3. A fetus might feel pain at or before 20 weeks.

Sen. Vaneta Baker (R-IN) sees a great deal of hypocrisy in the Republican party's agenda, especially in their attempt to "preserve life" and place children as the utmost importance, and yet they voted to defend programs for mentally disabled children? I guess when it's convenient for them to stand up for kids they choose to do so.

She also continued, “If our goal is to prevent abortions, we should not be proposing this...This piece of legislation will increase abortions.” And of course, she's right! Without organizations like Planned Parenthood available to give valuable family planning and PREVENTATIVE information about sex and reproduction, why would a lack of knowledge DECREASE the number of abortions that take place? Considering the fact that unintended pregnancies are the leading cause of abortions, clearly the direct correlation will not change but will only get worse.

Sen. Baker concluded with the obvious (to anyone with half a brain) that defunding these clinics will only “increase sexually transmitted diseases, and the number of women with precancerous conditions that are screened for by Planned Parenthood.”

Check out the whole article on Think Progress.

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Reva B. Siegel

Upon researching different perspectives, essays and blog posts for my thesis I came across some work written by Professor Reva B. Siegel, a professor at Yale Law School. Siegel looks into the history of law and how inequality can be found throughout the course of our nations cases, rulings, etc.

In particular, she wrote Sex Equality Arguments for Reproductive Rights: Their Critical Basisand Evolving Constitutional Expression, featured in Yale's Faculty Scholarship Series.  Her arguments and evidence are truly interesting and I highly recommend reading through it if you have the time.

She currently teaches the following courses at Yale Law School:

Antidiscrimination Law
Constitutional Law
Democratic Constitutionalism
Equality, Citizenship, and Sovereignty

Information and image used comes from Yale Law School website.

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

misoprostol

Misoprostol is used to prevent ulcers in people who take certain arthritis or pain medicines, including aspirin, that can cause ulcers. It protects the stomach lining and decreases stomach acid secretion.

Misoprostol is also used sometimes to treat ulcers and to induce labor. Misoprostol is used in combination with mifepristone to end an early pregnancy. 

Potential side effects:

• diarrhea
• headache
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• gas
• vomiting
• constipation
• indigestion

This is a drug that has been used by women who either do no have access to safe abortions, or abortions are not covered via health insurance. Does anyone else think that something needs to be done with a woman feels so desperate to cease her pregnancy that she's willing to play with drugs?

This is only the beginning of a very lengthy list of drugs women will dangerously juggle out of this desperation.

Information for this post was provided by the NIH.

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

Nancy Pelosi breaks it down for Americans

Nancy Pelosi does a great job of breaking down what is ACTUALLY being attacked by the GOP in their efforts to defund Planned Parenthood which is NOT abortion and has NOTHING to do with abortion. They are trying to take away vital health services from women including cervical caner screening, breast exams for cancer and family planning information and contraceptives.

I'd like ONE person to tell me why this is acceptable, and why this is not an attack on women.

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

What is YOUR experience with your reproductive rights?

As one can imagine, as I'm writing my thesis one of the things I need to synthesize is my information and support my position with interviews and the experiences of Americans around me. Which brings me to my question....

Have you ever had an experience that involved:

• the morning after pill/emergency contraception?
• abortion?
• a legitimate pregnancy scare?
• other...?

You can comment, comment anonymously, or feel free to send me an email and I will be sure to keep your story confidential. I have no intention of using any real names so if you have a preference for what fictitious name you'd like me to use let me know. 

hillaryjscott@gmail.com

Please include the following:

• Fictitious name (if you have a preference)
• Age
• Description of what happened
• What state it happened in
• Date of occurrence

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

Stephen Colbert supports Planned Parenthood

Here is most of it, but click on the link below to see it in its entirety:

If you haven't seen Stephen Colbert's defense of Planned Parenthood you NEED to see the whole thing  right now.





If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

MEN: I need to know what you think

I created this survey to find out what men think about reproductive rights. Please feel free to take it - it's only 6 questions and will probably take about 2 minutes!

Ladies - feel free to pass this on to your brothers, husband, Dad, guy friends, etc.

Thanks!


If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

Scarlett Johansson supports a woman's right to choose

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

You sir, will NEVER be pregnant

This is a great picture that my friend, Jessica, shared on my facebook page today. I thought it was appropriate:

 

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

Cristina Chiappini

I think I may have found my design idol, especially with regard to women's reproductive rights. Cristina Chiappini  is a graphic and media designer based in Rome and Traviso. She is experienced in corporate identity and web design for a myriad different avenues but what struck me most about her is her humanitarian campaigns.

The Uterus is ours and the government controls it was a slogan Cristina coined in designing a poster for the exhibitions "Stanze" (Rooms) organized from AIAP Italian Association of Communication Design. She was inspired by the 1970s feminist slogan "The uterus is mine and I do what I want with it"

Edit: It's official - I will be meeting Cristina while I'm in Italy this summer at the SVA Masters Design Workshop. SO PSYCHED!!!!

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.

Rep. Jim McDermott (WA) supports women's right, specifically poor women

McDermott tells his experience in politics, and how back in the day if you had a lot of money and needed an abortion you would go overseas to Japan to have is done back in the late 1960s. Clearly, if you did not have a lot of money you were screwed.

He speaks about how all these attacks on women's rights (specifically affecting poor women) is wrong. Take a look:

If you are just beginning to read my blog, here is the first post that briefly describes the purpose.