Skip to content

Options for Sexual Health hosts Chews and Brews for Choice

Event runs Nov. 2 as a fundraiser to support local clinic initiatives and reproductive choice
19153992_web1_191031-KWS-Chews_1
Nelson’s clinic has been named the Options for Sexual Health Clinic of the Year. Photo submitted

Submitted by the Nelson Options for Sexual Health Clinic

What could be more enticing than burgers, beverages, and choice? The Nelson Options for Sexual Health Clinic is hosting Chews and Brews for Choice on Nov. 2 as a fundraiser to support their local clinic initiatives.

On Nov. 2, nine establishments in Nelson are partnering with Options, and participating in Chews and Brews for Choice to support the Nelson Options Clinic. By visiting Backroads Brewing Company, Nelson Brewing Company, Kootenay Co-op Grocery, Rel-ish, Yum Son, Red Light Ramen, Adventure Hotel, The Dam Restaurant and Pub, and Mike’s Place Pub you can support Nelson Options fund initiatives in our community.

According to Statistics Canada, 78 per cent of all Canadians support the right to reproductive choice and Options for Sexual Health wants not only to honour that right, but also to champion it. Last year, the organization held their first Chews and Brews event in the Lower Mainland, where specific menu items were featured as “choice” items for that day, giving patrons an opportunity to support the organization. As a feminist, choice-driven organization, Options embraces everyone’s right to choose — including choosing to not support the organization.

Each partner location will be providing support in various ways: from portions of their proceeds to percentages of specific items, there will be ways to choose to support Options, or not. Visit the Nelson Options Facebook page for details on each venue.

For over 55 years, Options has been making a difference in the lives of British Columbians. Options is the largest sexual health care provider in Canada, offering clinical services in 60 communities across BC. Our sexual and reproductive health care and education give people of all ages, all genders, and all orientations the resources and support that allow them to experience healthy sexuality throughout their lives.

Options for Sexual Health has over 60 clinics throughout the province, and the Nelson Options clinic has been providing sexual and reproductive health services in Nelson for over 30 years. Located at the Nelson Health Centre at 333 Victoria Street, the Nelson Options Clinic is open every Wednesday evening from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. and provides sexual and reproductive health services for people of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations.

The clinicians are committed to providing you with confidential, nonjudgmental, youth-friendly, pro-choice, and sex-positive services. Services include low-cost birth control, sexually transmitted infection testing, treatment, and care, Pap screening, pregnancy testing and pro-choice pregnancy options counselling. New and returning clients are welcome, and no referral is necessary.

Each year, Options for Sexual Health highlights the accomplishments and efforts of one of their clinics with a Clinic of the Year award. The nomination process is long and carefully considered, weighing lots of factors that make Options who they are, including dedication, team work, community impact, innovation, and partnership collaboration.

This year, the Nelson clinic was identified as the Options for Sexual Health Clinic of the Year — a huge honour for the clinic in recognition of the work they do to keep access to sexual and reproductive health services in our community. The clinic team of volunteers, nurses, admin staff, and doctor work with passion and dedication to reach as many people as possible in a community with limited to no options.

If you want to see for yourself why they have been honoured with this award, all you need to do is visit the clinic; they provide a welcoming space for all in our community, as well as take on initiatives and advocacy locally to protect sexual and reproductive health, rights, and freedoms.

For more information on Options for Sexual Health and the services they provide, visit optionsforsexualhealth.org.