There have been recent anti-choice ads regarding abortion in the Nelson Star that have gotten my attention. I, along with many others, believe that a woman has the right to choose abortion, adoption or parenthood.
When I first saw the ads, and their not so subtle messages, my first reaction was anger. I first thought that boycotting the paper and writing a nasty letter was the way to go about making change. My second thought was to make an ad of my own, stating that women have the right to choose for themselves. After talking to my friends and family I decided that I wanted to do something proactive and positive. Wasting money on ads and getting into a verbal war is not really helping the pro-choice cause.
I decided that I wanted to help a group that supports woman, sexual health and provides correct information about all pregnancy choices. I went to my computer and started Pro-Choice, Nelson BC, on Facebook (feel free to go check it out and join) and I gathered information on local groups that I could believe in. I chose Options for Sexual Health (previously Planned Parent Hood). This organization provides free, confidential services to our community, including STI testing, counselling, sexual education and free contraceptives. In fact, Options for Sexual Health can boast that they are the number-one help in lowering the amount of abortions in BC by providing free contraceptives.
What I am doing now is collecting donations to present to Options for Sexual Health, inspired by Nelson’s Right to Life’s horribly graphic anti-choice ads, and given from our hearts and belief that woman have the right to choose what they want to do with their bodies. I want to thank Nelson’s Right to Life for inspiring me to do something proactive in regards to woman’s sexual health and reproductive rights.
If you would like to donate you can send cheques (made out to Options for Sexual Health) or money orders to:
Pro-Choice Nelson BC
707-622 Front St.
Nelson BC
V1L 4B7
If you would like to give a cash donation you can contact me through Pro-choice, Nelson BC on Facebook. Let’s show what being pro-choice really means!
Tiffany Radcliffe
Nelson