June 2007 Newsletter
Greetings, Earlier this month, a House appropriations subcommittee chaired by Rep. Dave Obey (D-WI) recommended a drastic increase in funding for discredited "abstinence-only" programs. But just two months ago, a report commissioned by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services confirmed that these federally funded programs are ineffective. According to the report, students who participate in "abstinence-only" programs are no more likely to abstain from sex, delay initiation of sex, or have fewer sexual partners than students who receive no sex education at all.
Instead of increasing funding for dangerous and unproven programs, the new pro-choice Congress should support traditional and honest sex education so Wisconsin's teens have the information they need to protect themselves. In Wisconsin, we're lucky to have Governor Jim Doyle who is one of a handful of governors across the country who has rejected federal abstinence-only money and supports comprehensive sex education to teach our kids the facts! Contact your local school board to find out what your children are being taught. Yours for Choice,
Kelda Helen Roys
Executive Director
In this issue: Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill Update
You're Invited to a Choice Conversation
Save the Date: It's Your Choice! 4th Annual Tasting
Talking About Choice
Compassionate Care for Rape Victims Bill Update
CCRV Passed Senate
On May 16, Wisconsin's State Senate overwhelmingly (with a bipartisan vote of 27 to 6) passed the Compassionate Care for Rape Victims bill (CCRV), which would ensure that survivors of sexual assault receive information about and access to emergency contraception, no matter what emergency room they visit.
Thanks largely to the efforts of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin and its coalition partners, seven senators who voted against a similar bill in 2001 voted for the bill this May. Anti-Choice Law Makers Block CCRV in Assembly
On May 31, CCRV (AB377) was introduced in the Assembly and, in a blatant attempt to stop this commonsense bill from becoming law, the anti-choice Assembly Majority Leader, Rep. Mike Huebsch, assigned CCRV to a committee led by an anti-birth control extremist. This move has angered representatives from both parties who want CCRV to become law. Click here to read remarks by Rep. J. A. Hines, chair of the Public Health Committee who hoped the bill would be assigned to his committee rather than the Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Mark Gundrum. Rep. Gundrum opposes all forms of birth control. What can I do?
Download our petition, ask your friends and neighbors to sign it to tell the anti-choice law makers that rape victims deserve better in our state.
You're Invited to a Choice Conversation
Join us for a Choice Conversation -- a small gathering to learn and to share our thoughts on reproductive choice. You'll learn about the current threats to choice in Wisconsin and how you can get involved in NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin’s fight! We'll share stories, eat great food and meet new people. You'll leave feeling empowered and ready to act!
This is an open invitation so feel free to invite your friends and family. RSVP to outreach@prochoicewisconsin.org. Find a Choice Conversation near you:
Milwaukee Choice Conversation
Tuesday, July 3 at 7:00 PM
Milwaukee Public Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Avenue Green Bay Choice Conversation
Tuesday, July 17 at 6:30 PM
Kress Family Branch Library, 333 N. Broadway, De Pere Eau Claire Choice Conversation
Tuesday, July 31 at 6:30 PM
Davies Center, Presidents Room, UW-Eau Claire Campus Oshkosh Choice Conversation
Wednesday, August 22 at 7:00 PM
Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave. La Crosse Choice Conversation
Tuesday, August 28 at 7:00 PM
Cartwright Center, Room 332, UW-La Crosse Campus RSVP to outreach@prochoicewisconsin.org
Save the Date: It's Your Choice! 4th Annual Tasting Wednesday, August 15, 2007
5:30 – 7:30 PM
At a Madison area home Sample gourmet cheeses, tantalizing chocolates, microbrewed beer, and delicious wine all made right here in Wisconsin. Suggested donation $50; Students/limited income $15 To sponsor this event, contact Kelda Roys at 608-287-0016 or email Kelda@prochoicewisconsin.org.
Talking About Choice Learn how to articulate your pro-choice values. In each newsletter, we will present a typical anti-choice statement, and show you how to effectively respond with the pro-choice facts! Anti-Choice Myth: The abortion rights movement is only about abortion. Pro-Choice Reality: We are pro-choice, not pro-abortion. One of our goals is to make abortion less necessary by preventing unintended pregnancies. We favor increasing access to family planning as well as responsible sexuality education. Unfortunately, the same groups that oppose abortion too often also oppose these commonsense, preventive measures that make abortion less necessary.
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