Freedom of Choice Ohio
Prevention First Lobby Day
April 22nd, 2009

"Lobby Day is an excellent opportunity for supporters to make the point that for the sake of all Ohioans we must work together to reduce unplanned pregnancies. I consider myself pretty well versed in reproductive health care in general, but I learned a lot through lobby day. It is a great time to speak one on one with the legislators who are sponsoring our bill and demonstrate to other legislators that we are dedicated, organized, and offer solutions that would reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies and the cause for some abortions. I hope you will join me and so many others at the Prevention First Lobby Day on April 22, 2009!" - Kelli Arthur Hykes

"Lobby Day is a valuable experience that all pro-choice individuals should take advantage of. While participating in Lobby Day 2008, I was able to meet with my State Representative, Tracy Maxwell Heard. As a new resident in her district she was pleased to hear my concerns regarding a lack of focus on women's health issues in Ohio. She listened intently as I spelled out what the Prevention First Act would do. At the conclusion of our meeting I was able to make a difference by asking her to co-sponsor the bill. Please take this wonderful opportunity to meet your Representative or Senator personally." - Tim Johns

"When I went to Lobby Day 2008, I expected it would just be standing on the Statehouse steps with signs and a bull horn. I actually had an opportunity to talk to a lawmaker one-on-one about the issue at hand. It was not just any politician, it was the one who represented my neighborhood to Ohio. It was so intimate of a meeting, that I would have WALKED to Columbus." - Lois Armstrong

"When I went to Lobby Day I didn't know what to expect. It was my first time going to any event such as this one. I was a little nervous but soon felt at ease. Everyone made me feel so welcome and it was such a wonderful experience to be surrounded by like-minded individuals. I was inspired by the group of men and womyn who were there to lobby. We should all hold our elected officials accountable for their actions and remind them they represent us. If you are concerned about the way our government is handling things I would highly recommend attending Lobby Day. You can make a difference." - Danielle Mason

Registration Deadline: April 14th
please visit https://id286.securedata.net/naralohio/events/lobbydayreg.shtml

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I love the Onion. We really do owe them for the fake news style that the Daily Show perfected. I actually work with a woman who cited the Onion in a college research paper thinking they were a serious journalism source.

Since it's April Fools Day, here's a little gyno humor!

STOCKHOLM—In recognition of her groundbreaking work treating life- threatening diseases of the privates, renowned hoo-ha specialist Dr. Victoria Lazoff was awarded the Nobel Prize in Lady Medicine this week.

The world's foremost authority on ailments down south, Lazoff led a team of cutting-edge hoo-ha doctors to develop new strategies for detecting abnormal growth in...you know, that area. The accomplished physician humbly accepted medicine's highest honor before a crowd of her peers, and spoke about the importance of regular screenings to prevent unnecessary complications up inside one's business.

Story continues at the Onion.com.

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Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio released their monthly Thanks and Spanks today. The organization's cheers and jeers go to two groups or individuals who have made a difference in reproductive rights, either good or bad.

This month, Congress sent President Obama the FY09 Omnibus Appropriations package (HR 1105), which included language that lets drug companies offer Affordable Birth Control to all Planned Parenthood health centers, as well as other family planning clinics and university-based health centers. The language in the bill supporting Affordable Birth Control was held in place because of a short list of Congressional leaders, including Tim Ryan.

The high price of prescription birth control has historically been subsidized by drug companies that reduce costs to non-profit clinics. In 2005, George W. Bush ended drug companies' ability to make such donations. Because of the legislation supported by Congressman Ryan, clinics will now be able to help students and low-income women choose the method of birth control that's right for them, regardless of cost. This will result in literally millions of women being able to prevent unintended pregnancies without making impossible economic sacrifices in these turbulent times.



Citizens for Community Values is at it again. They contacted their members last week with an email alert to warn them about the dangers of teaching students how to make wise, educated decisions when it comes to sexual activity. To make their point, they depended on a combination of ignorance, homophobia, and lies.

What did CCV say about Comprehensive Sex Education?

CCV LIE: It is mandatory education.
TRUTH: Comprehensive Sex Education in public schools takes place with the permission of parents. Any parent who does not want their child in a program may remove them without penalty.

CCV LIE: It stresses condom use.
TRUTH: It stresses Abstinence. It includes condom education because teaching Abstinence-Only has been shown time and again to be a failed policy.

CCV LIE: It is pro-abortion.
TRUTH: No Sex Education program is "pro-abortion." Comprehensive Sex Education exists to prevent unintended pregnancies.

CCV LIE: It treats homosexuality as normal.
TRUTH: It treats homosexuality as reality. It discusses homosexuality for two reasons. First, as an attempt to teach tolerance to our children. Second, because homosexual students attend public schools, too.

CCV LIE: It pays lip service to abstinence as one approach to the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
TRUTH: If by "lip service" they mean "teaches the benefits of Abstinence," then yes, Comprehensive Sex Education teaches students that Abstinence is the only guaranteed way to prevent getting STD's.

CCV LIE: It concentrates on presumption and management of sexual activity.
TRUTH: It understands the existence of sexual activity because sexual activity happens, with or without Sex Education.

They refer to Comprehensive Sex Education as "damaging, unethical and medically inaccurate." What is really damaging, unethical, and medically inaccurate is the refusal of the abstinence-only movement to recognize that some young people are already sexually active and that they need accurate information to make healthy and wise decisions.

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