tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77175392801652988212012-01-30T15:37:56.739-08:00A pro-choice blog compiling news and views about reproductive rights and a companion to the play The Abortion MonologuesJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.comBlogger1181100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-67140519466276774992012-01-30T15:37:00.000-08:002012-01-30T15:37:56.748-08:00

Joyce Arthur, the Executive Director of Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada, has written an excellent article about why fetuses cannot be given the status of persons, a response to MP Woodworth's statement that the fetus must be given personhood. Please read it  in full here, in the Guelph Mercury. I would like to excerpt what I find to be the most vital piece here: "As it happens, the Criminal

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-75848999503384165792012-01-16T17:06:00.000-08:002012-01-17T12:42:01.203-08:00

Sex selection is in the news again, as is the threat and/or promise of designer babies. One of the characters in my play, The Abortion Monologues, is a woman in her forties who already has three children. She finds herself with an unintended pregnancy. Her husband is unsure that he is willing to start again, and would like to consider abortion. She cannot even say the word. He suggests she have 

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-37223328181609070222012-01-06T15:23:00.000-08:002012-01-06T21:10:35.964-08:00

Shannon Dea has written a wonderful article in The Record describing the renewed calls for a so called abortion "debate" unnecessary and unwanted. In it, she lambastes MP Stephen Woodworth's proposal urging Parliament to examine the "unusual Canadian statute" that defines a human being. I suggest you read it. Dea describes quite clearly why Woodworth's rhetorical flourish that a baby has "

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-5983140351004470952011-12-24T05:36:00.000-08:002011-12-24T05:36:32.907-08:00

What a good time to remember to be grateful for all of the health care workers out there who keep us well. Many of them are working while the rest of us have our holidays, taking time away from their own families to be with ours in our time of need. Thank you to all of you. Extra thanks to those health care workers who provide abortion care with such sensitivity and faith in women. If you are

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-5664113083741840062011-12-10T18:29:00.000-08:002011-12-10T22:15:33.048-08:00

My gosh, you'd think I'd taken a stick and poked them in the eye. I had no idea so many anti's were reading my little blog. Please, do me a favour and read the play. Maybe you'll see where I'm really coming from then. But what was it that bugged you the most? The fact I said we'd won? Or that I said we didn't have to engage with bullies and abusers? I'll give you all the abridged version of

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-55216202638983453452011-12-09T06:33:00.000-08:002011-12-18T14:36:00.320-08:00

This is more on yesterday's post. Not debating the anti's doesn't mean not speaking. As Audre Lorde said, our silence does not protect us. No one can accuse me of being silent, by the way. As we all know, nature abhors a vacuum. It's important that we speak, or the anti's fill the public space with their nonsense and it goes unchallenged. How many women have heard the lie that abortion is

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-75445154410765031392011-12-08T16:28:00.000-08:002011-12-18T14:32:10.494-08:00

The anti's have been kicking up a fuss because they want to debate. There have been several articles on this recently. They all boil down to a school yard taunt of clucking like a chicken. Our side, the pro-choice side, has offered reasons why we don't debate to the anti's. You can find these in any legitimate pro-choice forum. I don't need to repeat them here. But these reasons seem unreasonable

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-66380309136066761622011-12-04T14:59:00.000-08:002011-12-04T14:59:48.159-08:00

There have been a few articles recently about the need for women to have access to safe abortion globally to reduce unnecessary maternal deaths. Of course, I like these articles because they support a position I hold and have debated publicly. Two of my favourites are at RH Reality Check, one by Elizabeth Maguire and another by Jodi Jacobson relaying information on the Declaration in Support of

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-14108949914326167322011-11-18T06:00:00.000-08:002011-12-18T14:32:57.944-08:00

Linda Weber was one of the first abortion counsellors in the United States in the 1970s, a founder of an abortion and women’s health clinic in Boulder, Colorado and has been a psychotherapist and spiritual counsellor for women for almost forty years. Her new book, Life Choices, is the culmination of decades of her thinking about abortion, its relationship to the rest of life and what it has to

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-91220644989213678002011-11-04T15:21:00.000-07:002011-11-04T18:00:19.290-07:00

Dear Justin, Forgive my informality; it's just that I feel like I know you. I was a big fan of your father. I watched you grow up, have watched your family's ups and downs, have been saddened by your losses and celebrated your successes from afar. I am sorry to see you've been having a rough time lately. Jane Taber indicates you can't catch a break, whether it's on the long gun registry or

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-45292642182095386462011-11-03T07:43:00.000-07:002011-11-04T09:20:20.952-07:00

There are now, as of this week, 7 Billion humans on the planet.   This is an incredible fact. I am one of them. So are you. And we're a bit of a problem. We're pushing other life to the edge of its capacity to survive, we are rapacious users of energy and resources, we pollute, cause climate change and seem unable or unwilling to plan for the long term survival of our own species let alone any

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-74965029542808805752011-10-25T14:36:00.000-07:002011-10-25T14:36:52.097-07:00

The United Nations is advising member nations that the criminalization of abortion is an abuse of state power. See this article from RH Reality Check. The first paragraph makes me so happy, I have to excerpt it. "On Monday October 24, 2011 the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health will present a report to the UN that unequivocally tells governments they must remove laws

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-6134894324880871912011-10-25T13:53:00.000-07:002011-12-18T14:33:23.941-08:00

Here are 10 ways to support choice. Although some specifically mention the Calgary Pro-Choice Coalition, (forgive me, but I live in Calgary) they pretty much apply everywhere in Canada, so I hope this gives you some ideas. Please feel free to add more ideas in the comments. All are welcome and this is, by no means, a comprehensive list. 1.      Get Informed. It’s pretty hard to speak about your

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-37611700985057728912011-10-22T10:20:00.000-07:002011-10-22T10:22:18.515-07:00

Ten questions for those who want to ban abortion are posed on a recent MS Magazine blog. The writer is thinking through the consequences of such a ban on the criminal justice system, and more. It is worth taking a look at. I particularly like the questions about how much jail time they think a woman should serve for having an abortion and if a repeat "offense" deserves more time. There is a good

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-14808229856692773622011-10-21T03:26:00.000-07:002011-10-22T10:24:20.481-07:00

Don't forget about the rally in Toronto on October 22 regarding abortion funding. Joyce Arthur at ARCC has a great article up on why abortion care must be fully funded. Have a look at it here. There is a link to a longer piece with the details of the research. Thanks to Joyce for providing all the facts. We have to be glad that Hudak didn't win the Ontario election. But complacency remains

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-27349741720255393852011-10-19T04:25:00.000-07:002011-12-18T14:33:57.834-08:00

Sixty one percent of women who have abortions are already mothers. a recent article in Slate provides the details and links to research you may want to look at. Although I was certainly aware that many women making this choice were already mothers, even I didn't realize it was quite so high. What can we learn from this? Well, according to the Slate article, women want to be the best mothers they

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-43459203049002283862011-10-05T17:23:00.000-07:002011-10-05T17:26:41.621-07:00

There are a couple of great opportunities to support a woman's right to choose coming up across the country. If you're wondering why anyone isn't sticking up for women, I would ask you first to look in the mirror. Are you? If not, it's time. The Regressive Conservatives are all tied up in knots about Planned Parenthood and have backbenchers itching to outlaw abortion. The next round of private

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-29654922753204921162011-09-28T17:44:00.000-07:002011-09-29T06:34:14.817-07:00

How many ways can we say I told you so? See the latest on CBC News. I may have to start a "Trost Watch." Perhaps I'll add to this post every day. Sept. 29: See this article in the Globe and Mail

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-87960500988918068692011-09-28T15:11:00.000-07:002011-09-28T15:19:58.201-07:00

Check out my guest post on Abortion Gang about Grey's Anatomy and Cristina Yang's character having an abortion. It's not the first prime time abortion (that was Maude) but it is one of very few. Here are two things I didn't say in my Abortion Gang post. First, I love being a guest on Abortion Gang. This is an inspiring group of young, fantastically well-informed reproductive rights activists

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-56976738011886857402011-09-22T06:43:00.000-07:002011-09-22T06:43:04.105-07:00

A thoughtful article by Joyce Arthur of Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada has been posted on RH Reality Check about the limits of free speech in the context of abortion. This is a compelling argument that would, if adopted, enable the law to protect targeted individuals and groups such as abortion providers. Thanks for adding this perspective into the debate, Joyce.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-22887184542678296292011-09-15T13:53:00.000-07:002011-09-15T13:53:01.632-07:00

I'm delighted to have found another pro-choice comic book to join "Think" (see www.thinkprochoice.com) in the fight against anti-choice crazy. Have a look at this great comic book about CPCs and their underhanded tactics in San Francisco. In "What Every Woman Should Know", Susie Cagle reveals the ways in which CPCs use the pretense of a medical facade to trick women into hearing their religious,

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-16996364944994546302011-09-06T20:35:00.000-07:002011-09-06T20:36:24.564-07:00

Great News! Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada is sponsoring a pro-choice video contest. Uploadable to YouTube, these thirty second to two minute videos will say why choice is important to you and to Canadians. What a great opportunity for you visually creative people out there. And there are prizes. $1000 in total with $500 going to the winner and $250 each to the two runners up. Get those

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-2156752054251622402011-09-06T08:38:00.000-07:002011-09-06T08:38:58.533-07:00

Every once in a while, I get really excited by an order that comes in for the play. I was super-excited to ship the play to Ireland, and now, today, I'm shipping to Australia! How wonderful to think of one's work going across the world like this. Other writers often ask me why I self-published and have lots of other questions about self-publishing. I think why I self-published is pretty obvious

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-82291242637368736792011-09-02T15:44:00.000-07:002011-09-02T18:11:43.433-07:00

This just in, Kelowna joins Ottawa as another city in Canada to have proclaimed a pro-life week. See this article for more information. Kelowna, renowned for its beauty and wine, is perhaps less well known as a conservative stronghold. But indeed this is a bastion of Christian fundamentalism, the heartland of domininists, submissive wives and alleged "family values." The Conservatives didn't

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-72640503339791642902011-08-28T12:00:00.000-07:002011-08-28T12:01:53.542-07:00

Like so many of you, I am saddened by Jack Layton's death. Our movement lost a friend and allie. Jack was a great feminist, a great believer in women. He knew deep in his heart that the old saying, "When one is oppressed, all are oppressed" was true. It was a pleasure to see that Dr. Morgentaler attended the funeral. It felt good to see him there.  It felt good to listen to the eulogy by Stephen

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-59975026101360291392011-07-28T13:43:00.000-07:002011-12-18T14:34:55.224-08:00

Here is a great article by Amanda Marcotte on ten things to say in your next argument about abortion with some misinformed anti-choicer. I particularly like the way Marcotte points out that anti-choice fanatics, with their anti-sex messages and policies, create conditions that increase the need for abortion and later term abortions in the first place. Nice work, Ms. Marcotte. The Abortion

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-3559790190533967012011-07-26T20:47:00.000-07:002011-07-30T07:41:13.629-07:00

For those who are even slightly aware of ongoing abortion debates, the past few weeks in Ontario have been good fun. Conservative leader Hudak has been called upon to clarify his position on abortion. My congrats to DammitJanet for digging around and raising the issue. Her recent post says it all. For some of the other media on Hudak, see the following links. Warren Kinsella Tanya Talaga at The

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-21494594393291855692011-07-19T06:52:00.000-07:002011-07-19T06:52:42.287-07:00

The Website update is done and I hope you enjoy the video clips that are posted from the great show we did last year in Calgary. Also, it looks like delivery of the next print run of the play will be in just two or three weeks. Thanks for your patience. Now, go outside and enjoy the summer.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-70756489211464379972011-07-08T17:35:00.000-07:002011-07-08T17:35:03.438-07:00

A few changes are on the way on this teeny tiny website, this lonely internet outpost of reproductive rights. It's been a while since I updated the site. In fact, I haven't even written a blog post in a while. It's not for lack of desire. I'm pretty busy working on another project which I hope will see the light of day sometime. Anyway, you'll notice soon that there will be a button for video

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-74466485180128256792011-05-25T10:47:00.000-07:002011-05-25T15:02:08.820-07:00

Here is a great piece by Cliff Schecter in Al-Jazeera that puts the pro-life movement in context. He describes how incompatible the name "pro-life" is with the broad belief system shared by most of its adherents. He writes, "The sad reality is that, to be pro-life in the US today, which is to be conservative in almost all cases, is to love thy enemy by supporting illegal wars - or just plain

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-25053673016997898922011-05-16T14:18:00.000-07:002011-05-16T15:40:29.549-07:00

Will the Conservatives challenge abortion rights or won't they? The to-ing and fro-ing is getting to be too much to bother recounting on this blog. I could spend my life being a clipping service. Although I would like to plug Dammit Janet's recent post on the subject because it was particularly good, I'll leave the others for you to find yourself. Suffice it to say, opinion is divided. Generally,

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-22527267934895893072011-05-08T11:23:00.000-07:002011-05-08T15:21:53.629-07:00

Mother's Day. It's a Hallmark Holiday, but nevertheless, a good day to think about mothering. Here at the Abortion Monologues, our motto is "Every Mother Willing, Every Child Wanted." This is still a dream, but it's good to dream and to work towards that dream. Roadblocks to achieving that dream include some of the myths we have about mothering. Our mothering myths transmit values, norms and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-42065231606907066772011-05-05T06:59:00.000-07:002011-05-05T14:32:15.814-07:00

Canada is behaving like the annoying little sister of the United States, following in their footsteps, tagging along, even when the example it has set is dangerous and destabilizing. My country, the country that believed in peace, order and good government, the country that was moderate almost to a fault, the country that was happily mocked as boring, is now about to change. My country will

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-65895927635291244972011-05-02T14:41:00.000-07:002011-05-02T14:41:59.907-07:00

It's election day in Canada. Voting for reproductive justice seems like a good idea from where I sit. But what exactly is reproductive justice?  I came across this great definition used by the Pro-Choice Coalition in Ottawa as a guideline for an upcoming public protest. They credit Sistersong. What is reproductive justice? As defined by Sistersong, Reproductive Justice is “the complete

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-69802238711360748852011-04-27T16:59:00.000-07:002011-04-27T16:59:26.177-07:00

Please have a listen to the brilliant Canadian spoken word artist and poet Shane Koyczan about this election, and why voting Conservative is a wasted vote. Thanks Shane. You are fantastic.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-59964030001204441422011-04-26T07:03:00.000-07:002011-04-26T09:27:51.230-07:00

Sometimes I get "comments" sent to this site that are so off the wall, so vile, so hateful and so unreasoned that I save them in a special file called "scary people." I think that these are comments from the same kind of people who kill doctors. Some time during the forty weeks of harassment, I wrote about a little incident at the local abortion clinic during which protesters exceeded the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-63362192378713705612011-04-25T07:23:00.000-07:002011-04-28T06:07:52.374-07:00

Is this really what you want? Really? I'm not the first to say that people get the government they deserve. And maybe it's true. Maybe you deserve this. You haven't been paying attention. You haven't seen the evidence before your eyes, or you have pretended what you have seen isn't important. Or maybe you have willfully ignored it. To start to grasp what Harper is doing to our economy, read

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-87772882369572802762011-04-21T07:11:00.000-07:002011-04-21T08:30:47.153-07:00

The series continues. Watch this great spoken word piece by sLIGHT about voting for choice. Also, have a look at this great video about the best pickup line ever, "I am not Stephen Harper" from shitharperdid. Great fun. I will be humming that little riff all day. Also, in a sub-theme on this thread, how evangelicals have taken over your government, read this article about MP Trost in

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-77907243296787883022011-04-20T11:54:00.000-07:002011-04-20T14:36:42.331-07:00

Thanks to Margaret Atwood for today's piece in the Toronto Star on Harper as a vacuum salesman. As she says, this is fiction, but all too painfully real, done in my favourite style, funny (with fact). I was talking to a smart, successful (if money is the measure of succes, that is) thirty something guy last week who votes Conservative. He listed all the problems he saw with the other parties and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-52040437562050242932011-04-19T12:14:00.000-07:002011-04-19T12:14:51.017-07:00

Thanks to Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada for this article on the implications of a Harper majority on reproductive freedom in Canada. As always, please pass it on to those who aren't yet singing in this particular choir.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-30114138833282883902011-04-16T08:24:00.000-07:002011-04-16T08:56:41.762-07:00

In my ongoing series about why Mr. Harper is no friend to us women, I offer another set of links. Please send these to the unconvinced, uninformed and unconscious. Spread the word. You probably already know about the viral phenom shitharperdid. Love their style - funny and fact based. Here is a piece from the Toronto Star reminding us all that the religious right is still behind the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-70871104045663075602011-04-05T10:53:00.000-07:002011-04-05T10:53:58.048-07:00

Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada has prepared a list of questions for you to ask your candidates so that you can gauge where they are on women's rights generally and abortion rights specifically. Have a look at them here. Thanks to ARCC for being on top of this, and while you are on their site, have a look at their full list of pro and anti-choice MPs.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-57008143415703274512011-03-30T08:57:00.000-07:002011-03-30T09:18:30.213-07:00

Being a friend to women is a long term commitment, not just an election fuelled booty call, like some desperate drunk dial in the middle of the night. Mr. Harper is the kind of guy we warn our friends and daughters about. You know him. He's the self-involved, entitled guy who cleans up okay and treats women decently enough while dating, but as soon as we let him move in, he becomes a slob on

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-16068775770627767602011-03-29T16:34:00.000-07:002011-03-29T16:34:08.119-07:00

A theme is developing. Hopefully a meme is developing. Read Heather Mallick in the Star. Spread the word. Lovely piece. Brave, as always, Ms. Mallick.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-66382319197642591322011-03-27T13:01:00.000-07:002011-03-27T14:52:02.727-07:00

According to the Globe and Mail, Mr. Harper will court women in this election and try to convince us he is our friend. I almost spit my coffee out through my nose when I read that one. But he needs us to win, apparently, so I'd say that puts the ball in our court. Spread the word to your women friends, post things on Facebook, do whatever it is you do best, and let the women know there is a

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-91975719211311934452011-03-25T11:16:00.000-07:002011-03-30T20:38:12.456-07:00

Cheery news today. Please, go visit my guest blog on Abortion Gang. Abortion Gang is part of a terrific network of blogs and pro-choice activist sites that provide news and perspectives rarely seen in the mainstream press. I know that sometimes I feel bogged down thinking nothing is changing. Sites like this remind me in a second that there is a new energy out there that is really going to change

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-40969044053429494782011-03-24T09:46:00.000-07:002011-12-18T14:35:31.612-08:00

I love irony. As the forty days of harassment continues, my local abortion clinic finds itself having to continually remind the anti-choice bullies of the terms of their injunction against protesters, an injunction  meant to protect the patients of the clinic. Among other things, the injunction permits protesters, but only four at a time and they must stay on the other side of the street.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-28669363115787045512011-03-14T06:56:00.000-07:002011-03-14T06:59:05.043-07:00

Charlotte Taft and the wonderful people at the Abortion Care Network have released an affirming new pamphlet called "You Are A Good Woman." The text is available on a recent post by Abortioneers, and if you want to read it there, go for it. It is also available at the Abortion Care Network's store, as are all of their pamphlets. It mirrors what the play has to say, and next time I'm involved in

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-65918206373750106142011-03-10T07:31:00.000-08:002011-03-10T07:31:54.743-08:00

Hooray! This is great news for our American friends and great news for Canada too. For more on this, please go to the following link: Planned Parenthood Federation of America Press Release And isn't it wonderful that it is also National Day of Appreciation for Abortion Providers. Read about it at http://iamdrtiller.com/ I stand with Planned Parenthood, and with all of the abortion providers

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-59002305505424210902011-03-09T13:48:00.000-08:002011-03-09T13:51:52.046-08:00

An interesting read in Campus Progress by Ryan Brown on how the anti-choicers are trying to go viral is a wake up call about the tactics being used in the battle for public opinion. It is old news that the anti-choicers are running contests to produce the "best" YouTube video to convince congress why they should defund Planned Parenthood. The project is creating little rising stars in the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-78380074552544373972011-03-08T13:07:00.000-08:002011-03-08T13:07:37.935-08:00

To all the women who are out there working to make the world a better place for everyone, thank you.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-82462111701469815322011-03-06T07:06:00.000-08:002011-03-06T08:49:13.192-08:00

Here is something better, much better, on feminism today, although it still resorts to using "the f-word." Have a look at Annie Lennox's interview of five good women in the Guardian Observer. The issues are described in a more contemporary context and in greater depth. This is a much deeper piece and you will find it much more filling.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-9958961837634197352011-03-04T14:51:00.000-08:002011-03-09T06:35:48.317-08:00

CBC's Doc Zone broadcast The F-Word last night, a doc about feminism. Check the link if you want to watch it on line, but seriously, if you are reading this blog, you are probably way past what this has to offer. I guess it was fine for those who are just happy to have women and what might be of concern to some of us show up ANYWHERE in the media, and I'll give it credit for explaining

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-84962003678122625552011-03-01T13:57:00.000-08:002011-03-01T13:57:29.431-08:00

Here is a good article on what goes on at the Pregnancy Crisis Centres, you know, the fake "clinics" that lure pregnant women in with their false promises. Thanks to the writers for doing the undercover work needed to continue to expose these places for what they are - Christian missions. Although this article is American, the same thing goes on here. In fact I passed one the other day in

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-31799572449291534172011-02-28T09:08:00.001-08:002011-02-28T09:08:44.122-08:00

A great sign that so many walked for choice on the weekend. And with that, here are some great signs!

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-46480721289098696582011-02-23T08:23:00.000-08:002011-02-23T08:23:29.329-08:00

WALK FOR CHOICE! Saturday February 26 @ noon Meet in the parkette SE corner Bloor & Spadina Walk For Choice - in the U.S.A. and around the world, including Toronto. This event started in the United States to answer the Republican attacks on Planned Parenthood and abortion providers across the country. Solidarity events are happening in Canada and the U.K. Here in Canada the anti-choice are

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-82076618995585890652011-02-19T14:44:00.000-08:002011-02-19T14:50:14.895-08:00

Tickets for The Abortion Monologues in Kitchener/Waterloo, Friday March 25 (7pm) can be purchased at http://www.sellyourevents.com/JaneCawthornesTheAbortionMonologuesFridayOpeningNight.aspx and tickets for Saturday March 26 (1pm) can be purchased at http://sellyourevents.com/JaneCawthornesTheAbortionMonologuesSaturdayMatinee.aspx. Both show are at the First Unitarian Congregation, 299 Sydney St.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-45406169190410611502011-02-18T11:51:00.000-08:002011-02-18T12:17:50.057-08:00

Well, they did it. The US House of Representatives just voted to ban all funding of Planned Parenthood. I feel ill. Please, if you are American, take action. Go to the Planned Parenthood website and stand united with them. And Canadians, as I've said before, don't be smug. If this isn't a wake up call, what is? For more background info, have a look at this New York Times article.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-18506539022108875222011-02-18T08:26:00.000-08:002011-12-18T14:36:44.708-08:00

This just in: Rolling Stone magazine has made a very minor correction in excerpts released from its upcoming cover story on the Biebs. Biebs was asked his thoughts on abortion, indicating he doesn't "believe in" abortion (or is that "belieb in"). The magazine then asked a follow up question on whether abortion would be acceptable in cases of rape. According to the Globe and Mail today, the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-46838010880504655532011-02-06T08:46:00.000-08:002011-02-08T12:59:56.430-08:00

A recent article in the NYT describes "the seige of Planned Parenthood" south of the border. There's a move by American legislators to deny any and all government funding to PP because they provide abortion services. This is in spite of the fact that PP is already barred from using government funding for abortion services by existing legislation. Of course, PP also provides family planning help

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-1158903674293460422011-01-29T08:22:00.000-08:002011-01-29T08:25:00.126-08:00

A new study out of Denmark, where abortion is legal until twelve weeks, finds there is no link between abortion and mental health issues. The study is in the New England Journal of Medicine. Here is an article from the LA times about it for those who just want the big picture, and here is the actual study, for those of you who like to go to the source. (You'll have to pay to see the whole thing

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-20818410124589417422011-01-25T09:39:00.000-08:002011-01-26T15:01:51.897-08:00

The Prime Minister is not talking about abortion. Look at the recent articles about what he says he is doing and not doing. The first one in the Globe and Mail notes he WILL try to end the gun registry, he WILL NOT open up a debate on capital punishment, although he believes in it and he WILL NOT talk about abortion, although he is against it. Citing an interview with Peter Mansbridge, the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-33964062562670687972011-01-09T15:40:00.000-08:002011-01-12T12:52:47.752-08:00

The shooting of Representative Gabrielle Giffords is already spawning an industry of commentary, some more thoughtful than others. I agree with blogger Richard Kim from The Nation that this terrible act is an attack on democracy and on the very idea that we can speak to each other about public matters in public places. But sad as it is, it is nothing new. Many are saying the shooting is a clear

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-5396768486833623932011-01-07T12:52:00.000-08:002011-01-10T13:39:59.056-08:00

There is an interesting article from LifeSite News indicating that a pharmacist in Toronto has been convinced to stop selling emergency contraception by an anti-choice customer. The pharmacy is the Medicine Shoppe at 515 St. Claire Ave. West. The LifeSite article has the address wrong, but I want you to have it right, so you can specifically avoid this place. This issue is a troublesome one

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-5052486677984843642011-01-06T15:42:00.000-08:002011-01-06T15:42:32.867-08:00

A production of The Abortion Monologues is happening in the Kitchener/Waterloo region March 25 and 26, 2011. More details and ticket information will follow.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-58530720143494299512010-12-21T06:40:00.000-08:002010-12-25T21:56:20.254-08:00

Stephen Harper has been named chair of the new maternal health panel. The joke is on us. There's not much more to say about that, but definitely have a look at Dammit Janet's take on it. Who will help those mother's who don't conform to Mr. Harper's odd ideas of what women are (babymakers) and what justifies giving health supports (babymaking)? What about the women who don't want to be

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-15277971060293709202010-12-17T10:50:00.000-08:002010-12-17T13:42:51.143-08:00

Dear Annonymous Commenter: You said, "I'm sure you won't have the courage to post this."  It takes no "courage" at all for me to post your comment in which you say I should be ashamed for being against bill C-510. I feel no shame at all, and in fact feel quite a bit of pride in playing my part to have this nonsensical bill defeated. It was (so happy to be using the past tense) a bill which was

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-85851399049273001612010-12-16T14:49:00.000-08:002010-12-16T14:49:51.334-08:00

Then check out this link. Everyone is listed. Interesting reading. I don't know why Mr. Ignatieff did not vote, but I'll let you know if I find out.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-67860809606197141212010-12-15T11:50:00.000-08:002010-12-15T11:50:15.833-08:00

Thanks to Heather Mallick for her wonderful article in the Toronto Star. I've got to say that the Toronto Star is my favourite paper in Canada right now and Ms. Mallick remains one of my favourite opinion makers. As always, she tells it like it is. We can't point out often enough that abortion rights are uneven across Canada and all of us have to realize it wouldn't take much (a Conservative

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-14768006807659796762010-12-09T08:22:00.000-08:002011-01-04T19:01:37.953-08:00

Recently, Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada completed a survey about clinic harrassment with an eye to understanding what types of legal intervention may be helpful. Specifically, they wondered whether "bubble zone" legislation that exists in British Columbia could be a useful model for other provinces to adopt to protect their clinics. The bubble zone mandates a perimeter around facilities

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-66773395734390166622010-12-06T20:20:00.000-08:002010-12-06T20:42:36.937-08:00

On this day in 1989, fourteen women were murdered and another nine women and four men were injured at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal. The singling out of women was no accident. The gunman entered a classroom, asked the men to leave and then murdered the women. The women were murdered because they were women in a male dominated field - women in an engineering school. In the mind of the murderer,

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-12847995906577186782010-11-27T09:19:00.000-08:002010-11-27T09:19:32.312-08:00

Mark your calendars for the big event. The debate on Bill C-510 which was initially pushed back to February will continue on December 13, with a probable vote on December 15. The vote on December 15th will determine the bill’s fate.  If it is passed, it will go for discussion before a parliamentary committee. Look around this blog for the myriad reasons why the bill is ridiculous and if my own

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-24935742152825251962010-11-25T07:20:00.000-08:002010-11-25T07:20:32.026-08:00

Once again, my hometown is taking a leadership role in something, but this time in a positive way. Have a look at the Calgary Sexual Heath Centre's new "Sexpert" podcast series. This is a fantastic resource with "real people" telling it like it is about all kinds of topics in sexual health. The word "authentic" comes to mind, and as their promo says, this is the kind of information you won't

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-74361298489993602572010-11-23T09:14:00.000-08:002010-11-23T22:56:16.023-08:00

As you know, I'm a big believer in writing letters to your elected officials. Why not? If you email, it's vitually free and you can really take a load off your mind. So, of course I have sent letters about Bill C-510 out. Here is a copy of the response to my letter to the PM. The PM sloughed it off on Rob Nicholson, who wrote: "The Office of the Prime Minister has forwarded to me a copy of your

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-4888290239142121272010-11-22T12:46:00.000-08:002010-11-22T13:52:19.407-08:00

There was an article on the weekend in the Toronto Star by Megan Ogilvie called "A Young Abortion Provider's Dilemma." The following comments are from SW. Ogilvie focuses on the issues doctors may have in deciding whether or not to be an abortion provider and in doing so, makes it sound as if the paucity of services in smaller centres or rural areas is one of provider shortage. Not so. There is

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-19510184346752057492010-11-17T19:24:00.000-08:002010-11-17T19:24:04.823-08:00

New York is considering legislation to reign in those lying Crisis Pregnancy Centres. Have a look at the news on Feministing. Well, if New York can do it, why can't we?

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-63124707747198165722010-11-15T10:39:00.000-08:002010-11-15T19:25:44.071-08:00

Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada has compiled a list of private member anti-choice bills introduced in the house since 1987, all of which failed to pass. The list excludes Bill C-43, which was a government bill introduced by the Mulroney government to recriminalize abortion after the Supreme Court's 1988 ruling which made abortion solely a medical matter. C-43 was defeated in the Senate by a

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-79304605796001625532010-11-10T11:19:00.000-08:002010-11-15T19:28:42.782-08:00

In the past couple of days, something has happened in my home town that puts a chill in the air for any activist. Jason Devine, an anti-racist activist associated with the group Anti-Racist Action Calgary, was beaten in a home invasion allegedly perpetrated by some white supremacists who object to his work. A friend, also present in the home, was also beaten and his arm was broken. Jason's wife,

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-34389130017691121152010-11-09T14:07:00.000-08:002010-11-09T14:07:15.915-08:00

There's a great post on RHReality Check on why women in Africa need access to medical abortion AND all the other stuff we take for granted over here in the so-called west. This is the first in a series of articles from Keeping Our Promise: Addressing Unsafe Abortion in Africa, a conference taking place this week in Accra, Ghana. Attendees include policymakers, providers, advocates, health system

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-6994032032615212322010-11-05T13:23:00.000-07:002010-11-05T13:24:35.665-07:00

The second (and final) debate is scheduled to take place on December 15th. There is always the chance that it could be moved back. If debate collapses on the 15th the vote would take place the next Wednesday the House sits which is February 2, 2011. Yes, the wheels of government turn slowly.  Have a look at Hansard to see what your representatives said on C-510. Speakers include the dreaded Mr.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-2054021798673881502010-11-03T13:39:00.000-07:002010-11-05T13:11:39.881-07:00

For those still unconvinced that we don't need a new law in the Criminal Code covering "coerced abortions," have a look at yesterday's awesome post at anti-choice is anti-awesome. (See the blog list.) Thanks, fellow blogger, for taking on the tedious Andrea Mrozek. Still not convinced? How could that be? Then why not admit that Mr. Bruinooge's private member's bill is entirely redundant. It

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-19370034146301016792010-11-03T09:15:00.000-07:002010-11-03T13:28:59.740-07:00

There is action in New Brunswick. Read the news. Some brave soul has brought a complaint against the Human Rights Commission because the province's Medical Services Payment Act "discriminates on the basis of sex in relation to abortion." Some of you might already be aware that in the province of New Brunswick, women are still subject to the very same conditions that were struck down by the

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-33140700448733573582010-11-02T05:51:00.000-07:002010-11-02T05:51:35.905-07:00

This is an interesting article, from the Daily Mail and worth having a look at. They note how American anti-choice groups are exporting their tactics to England now. It reminds me of how cults work. Of course, Canada's own contribution to the plague on sanity is also noted, and of course, they are also an American creation.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-49818771271548320482010-10-25T19:45:00.000-07:002010-11-10T20:21:12.244-08:00

Spoiler: The following is not about abortion, at least not directly. I'm sitting in the specialist's office today, giving a ride to a friend (ah, the old "friend" story, but seriously, it was not for me) and rifling through old magazines while she is in seeing her doctor. I find something called "The Philadelphia Trumpet." The headlines are a little odd. I pick it up and begin perusing. I

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-2453348819331822642010-10-20T12:25:00.000-07:002010-10-20T12:25:56.259-07:00

Have a look at this great article in Walrus by Sylvia Bashevkin about how the tories have eroded women's rights during their reign. In part, it has been through overt measures such as the evisceration of Status of Women Canada disguised as fiscal necessity. More often, it is through private members bills like the upcoming C-510. Do what you can to nip this one in the bud. Write your letters.

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-7712308244958964522010-10-19T21:50:00.000-07:002010-10-20T12:27:22.616-07:00

Through a set of circumstances that I still don't quite understand, I was a reader at Wordfest this year in Calgary. I find myself in rooms with the likes of Yann Martel and Jane Urquhart and wonder how this happened. But here I am, or have been, for the past several days, talking and mostly not talking about my work. Thanks Wordfest, and thanks to the many writers who were gracious and

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-31774793561327467372010-10-11T19:20:00.000-07:002010-10-11T19:20:48.334-07:00

If you're unfamiliar with the recent arrests of anti-choice protesters at Carleton University, read this from the dreaded National Post. Now, of course, they quote Sommerville. Again, they don't mention she is an anti-choicer. But as I often do, I digress. Everyone here misses what I see as the central point, even the people I agree with. I will quote from a letter I just sent to Carleton,

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-49800665067888031382010-10-09T12:37:00.001-07:002010-10-09T12:37:56.537-07:00

Many thanks to The Emma Goldman Clinic, who is producing The Abortion Monologues. For more information, contact The Emma Goldman Clinic 227 N. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA 52245 319.337.2111 800.848.7684

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-79561818005612633372010-10-09T12:34:00.000-07:002010-10-09T12:34:03.721-07:00

Bill C510 was introduced on April 15 by anti-choice Conservative MP Rod Bruinooge (Winnipeg South), who chairs the secretive Parliamentary Pro-Life Caucus. It seeks to amend the Criminal Code to prohibit coerced abortions. It's a patronizing, pathetic ruse, and another anti-choice end run around the facts. Look at the link to a press release from Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada on the issue

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-46894062609128291242010-10-04T15:17:00.000-07:002010-10-04T15:17:48.309-07:00

Or, Forty Days of Harrassment. Whichever you prefer. I offer another little tidbit from SW, who found some advice for the anti-choice protesters. It is from the Bible, of all places. I know, you never thought you'd see a quotation from the Bible here in the heart of my blog.  But I think it's important to speak to people in a language they understand. This goes out to all you protesters.  "Be

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-2616637308042013472010-10-04T13:37:00.000-07:002010-10-11T08:19:50.082-07:00

As all six of you who read this blog know, the attempt by anti-choicers to market some fabrication of theirs called post abortion syndrome is one of my pet peeves. Thanks to SW, I just read a fantastic article debunking it again. I'd like to say "once and for all," but we know those anti-choicers don't care much for science. But for those of you who need some ammunition, take a look at an article

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-13024632776579690502010-09-26T19:50:00.000-07:002010-09-26T19:50:11.085-07:00

It looks like Fall is here and with it comes the Forty Days of Lies. Yes, the protesters are back, claiming to speak not only for you, but also for God. Pretty heady stuff. How do they handle the responsibility? Not too well. I've got to admit even the Pope might be doing better than them, and he's got a pedophile crisis on his hands. Their claim on the moral high ground is bizarre. Surely they

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-51487014109655191162010-09-24T12:37:00.000-07:002010-09-24T12:37:17.880-07:00

This is my new favourite thing. The Calgary Pro-Choice Coalition has created a comic book (brilliant!) to counter the offensive tactics of the foetus mobile and their ilk. It directs people to reputable, well informed and unbiased sources of information about reproductive rights and sexual health both in Calgary and nationally. It is a fantastic bit of radical comic book activism, and a measured

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-35543934968581374672010-09-11T17:47:00.000-07:002010-09-11T17:47:22.490-07:00

Briarpatch, always a favourite magazine of mine, has this fantastic article about the tactics of the anti-choice and their use of freedom of speech as a defence. It is definitely worth the read. Very thought provoking. Thanks to Jane Kirby for putting her time and talent towards this topic. I've never met a Jane I didn't like!

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-32182965924172661292010-09-10T14:04:00.000-07:002010-09-10T14:06:49.413-07:00

I'm passing the following letter along to help our sisters in Australia. Dear friend, Believe it or not, abortion is still illegal in most of Australia! And a young couple in Cairns, Queensland is being prosecuted for "procuring" an abortion through the use of RU-486, a drug that is commonly prescribed in the U.S. For decades, Australian officials didn't take action against women who chose

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-2168179434589931632010-09-02T17:06:00.000-07:002010-09-02T17:06:01.803-07:00

First, there is a great study by NARAL California called "Unmasking Fake Clinics." Give it a read. Next, have a look at Geoffrey York in today's Globe and Mail. His article "Ottawa Funds Help Illegal Abortion in Africa" is actually pretty good, in spite of a confusing headline that makes it sound like it will be an anti-choice diatribe. This is why the mantra on foreign aid and abortion must be,

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-47625275477097619232010-08-23T15:14:00.000-07:002010-08-23T16:28:48.708-07:00

For years now in Canada, it's been easy to separate being pro-choice from any actual activism. Since 1988, women have been able to get an abortion without concern for legal consequences. The Supreme Court said that legal restrictions and therapeutic abortion boards and the like infringed on a woman's security of the person, delaying access to time sensitive and necessary medical help. Since then,

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-12814522949063441202010-08-18T15:09:00.000-07:002010-08-18T15:09:58.214-07:00

There have been some pretty interesting articles lately about various pregnancy crisis centres, the way they lure unsuspecting women into them and then misinform them and delay their attempts to access abortion services. I've already linked to that great article in the Toronto Star about the tactics used by these groups in a previous post. Now, check out this article (again in The Star)

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-87056332711600045962010-08-09T08:03:00.000-07:002010-08-09T08:03:45.624-07:00

The Toronto Star recently ran a terrific article on the tactics used by anti-choice "clinics" such as the pregnancy care centre. I am particularly grateful for the inclusion of a list of claims made by their "counsellors" with a reality check following each one. What mystifies me is that this is still thought of as news, as in something new, as in a new discovery or journalistic coup. This

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717539280165298821.post-84691456963302081072010-08-02T12:42:00.000-07:002010-08-02T12:43:25.609-07:00

Check out this excellent article in the New York Times Magazine about "the new abortion providers," doctors providing women with abortions in their own offices and within their family practices. It is a really good analysis of how the provision of abortion care became narginalized in the first place and how the model that has us provide this care in the separate setting of a clinic has been

Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03737844450863419569noreply@blogger.com0