Tea Party for Choice!

SRR has been holding regular meetings and is alive and well. This Saturday will be our first official event. We're hosting an informal discussion, open to the pro-choice public, about reproductive rights issues in general. Although it will be useful to hear what is of most interest and concern so that we can take action in the new semester, mainly it's a chance to unite with pro-choice peers and feel safe in the community we're creating. The issues we face are difficult and will require support, and what better way to feel safe and connected than over a warm cup of tea? Dec. 5th, 2:30pm - 4pm in SUB room 245. Everyone is welcome, but we ask that you bring along your own cup or mug if you'd like tea.

There are many possible topics to discuss, one of which is the Stupak amendment in the US. This possible nation-wide restriction on a woman's right to choose is appalling and we Canadians will undoubtedly feel the ripples of this upset at some point. Our sympathies go out to the women who will be affected if this bill passes with the Stupak amendment and our hearts go out to the fearless pro-choice activists in the US who are working hard to protect women and families.

Finally, there was one more reason to be outraged this month. Here at UBC last week, an anti-choice presentation took place comparing abortion to the holocaust. I don't need to explain how this comparison is deeply offensive, oppressive, and inaccurate. Many believe Vancouver and UBC to be a pro-choice haven but this is obviously not the case. There is so much to protect and many reasons to speak up.

We hope to see you at the Tea Party for Choice this weekend!

SRR Update

SRR is officially born! We had our first meeting last Wednesday - a big thank you to the many of you who came out. We figured out some logistics, brainstormed events, and discussed the issues that have moved us to create this group and get active: reproductive health and access to abortion.

It's a busy time in the semester, but nevertheless we will be having at least one event before the year is out. This will be a tea and discussion, open to everyone but especially for members and their friends. The pro-choice movement is one of knowledge (and compassion and social justice, in my opinion), and as such we need to educate ourselves in order to be effective defenders of reproductive rights.

Here's a piece of knowledge from the WHO (2006) that is forever on my mind and in my heart:

An estimated 68 000 women die every year from unsafe abortion, and millions more are injured, many permanently. The underlying causes of unsafe abortion are apathy and disdain for women; they suffer and die because they are not valued.

In solidarity for women everywhere,

Justine

SRR President