Groundbreaking CPC legislation in Baltimore City

So I know I've been not posting, which is not good. My internship at NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland keeps me pretty busy. Plus, I write for that blog, so I get a lot of my writing urges out there. (Hint Hint… Read it!) However, I find it amazing that I didn't take the time to highlight on my blog some great pro-choice legislation in my own hometown!

I'm talking about the Baltimore City Council Limited Service Pregnancy Center (LSPC) Disclaimers regulation. After being introduced in October, it was passed on December 1, and it goes into effect on January 1. What a way to start off the new decade in Baltimore City!

This law addresses a problem that has been documented with crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) across the nation and locally. CPCs are pro-life pregnancy centers that attempt to prevent women from considering having an abortion or even using birth control. However, their mission is not the principle problem. It’s their methods that present the problem.

CPCs represent themselves as pregnancy clinics where women should come to get pregnancy tests, talk about their options, and get medical referrals for whatever decision they make. However, they counselors then give women false and misleading information about abortion, pregnancy, STDs, and contraceptives. They will not give referrals for abortion services or birth control prescriptions because they are morally opposed to them, even if the client decides that is what she wants.

The LSPC Disclaimers regulation is an attempt to make sure that potential clients of CPCs are not misled about what these centers do and do not provide. It requires CPCs to clearly post a sign that says they do not provide or refer for abortion or birth control. This regulation is necessary because it is very easy to mistake one of these centers as a comprehensive health clinic like a Planned Parenthood, and it can be very distressing to walk into a moral lecture unexpecting.

I went to the hearing for the bill (live tweets here), and I saw opponents to the bill trying to twist this issue into things that it was not- “the next battle in the abortion wars”, a discriminatory hassle to an innocent charity, an unconstitutional attack. However, this bill was approved by the Baltimore City law and health departments, and it was a common sense measure.

It was a hard fight that I was really happy to be a part of, but it passed in the end. And now, I am even more excited to see that NARAL Pro-Choice America is recognizing Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, president of Baltimore City Council and the woman who championed this bill, by nominating her for their 2009 pro-choice Hall of Fame. Make sure to vote for her (and for the Hall of Shame too) and show the whole nation that Baltimore City is passing groudbreaking legislation!

Young girls need a responsible conversation about Twilight

So let's talk about Twilight. Yes, I am talking about the vampire teen craze too. And since this is a feminist blog, I am of course going to talk about how it is a completely anti-feminist piece of crap (that I am still reading... and watching). I don't read and watch it because I'm addicted- I just feel like I should know what is the big deal about it. I'm glad I did, because it became really clear (especially from watching the movie) that Bella is a terrible role model for girls. While the situation in the book works out "okay" (this is not a spoiler, I'm only through book 2 and big surprise- she's still alive), it romanticizes abusive relationships.

That is why I was thrilled to get this email today from Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. It's part of their Parent newsletter, which gives parents ideas for talking to their kids about sexuality and relationships. I couldn't find the information anywhere online, so I thought I would inject it into the blogosphere:

Welcome to another edition of The Buzz News Flash. Many of you reading this have been swept up by your pre-teen or teenager's obsession with the Twilight series. Here at PPLM, we believe that this print and film phenomenon provides parents with another wonderful opportunity to engage with your child in a meaningful way about relationships.

What is a healthy relationship versus an unhealthy relationship? Is Bella's relationship with Edward healthy? Ask your child, "What do you admire in their relationship?" "How does Edward treat Bella?"

You can raise issues of Edward's controlling behavior toward Bella. For example, Edward stalks Bella by showing up in her room unannounced to watch her sleep and he eavesdrops into her conversations by reading minds.

2) What else could Bella have done to deal with her break-up? In the second installment, New Moon, Edward leaves Bella. She is devastated by his abandonment and sinks into a depression. Bella only begins to emerge from her depression when she enters into a close relationship with Jacob.

Ask, "Can a person only be happy when they are in a romantic relationship?" As a parent it is important to know the warning signs of depression in your preadolescent and adolescent: a helpful source is www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen.htm

3) Another issue to explore from the story is the demands on Bella to keep secrets from her father, mother and friends in order to maintain her relationship with Edward. You may wish to discuss with your child, "When is it okay to keep a secret?"and "When do secrets become unhealthy?"

Remember, these movies are meant to be fun! Resist the desire to lecture - this is a moment to listen to what your child is saying about Bella, Edward and Jacob and to share your own values about the lives of these fictional characters.

Thank you PPLM!

If you want to sign up for these emails, learn more about PPLM, or donate to them (help them educate, reach out, and hire young people like me) visit their website.