Choices Series
NARAL Pro-Choice New York's “Choices” speaker series is a six-part continuing discussion examining what it means to have true reproductive choice. Looking beyond legislation that protects our right to abortion, “Choices” explores other facets of reproductive choice, such as the ability to access contraception, to make parenting decisions, to live free from institutionalized discrimination, and to access the resources, support, and services necessary to make informed and empowered decisions. Choices: Emergency Contraception On February 25, 2009, NARAL Pro-Choice New York and the National Institute for Reproductive Health, in partnership with co-sponsors Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER), the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, and Harlem Health Promotion Center kicked off the “Choices” speaker series with “Choices: Emergency Contraception." Presenters shared information about EC and how to get it, their successes and lessons learned, and how we all can get involved in the efforts to make Emergency Contraception an accessible and supported reproductive choice for all. Presenters included: Alwyn Cohall, MD, Director, Harlem Health Promotion Center Amy Boldosser, MIA, Director of Local Advocacy Initiatives at the National Institute for Reproductive Health Harriet Lessel, Executive Director, New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault Myra Batchelder, Director, Low Income Access Program at the National Institute for Reproductive Health Nora Niedzielski-Eichner, Board Member, Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER) Choices: Parenting On May 7, 2009, in honor of Mother’s Day, NARAL Pro-Choice New York, in partnership with co-sponsors Sistas on the Rise, Baby’s First Home, the Red Hook Initiative, and the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), hosted “Choices: Parenting.” Presenters spoke about the work they do to ensure that parenting is an accessible and supported reproductive choice for all, shared personal stories about their choices to parent, gave live performances, and discussed the rights of mothers within a variety of settings such as the NYC public schools and shelters. Presenters included: Christina Virgo, Community Organizer, Sistas on the Rise Jessica Mason, Founder, Baby’s First Home Samora Coles, Reproductive Health Coordinator, the Red Hook Initiative Karyn Brownson, Teen Health Initiative Director, New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) Choices: Reproductive Rights and the LGBTQ Community On June 24, 2009, in honor of Pride week, NARAL Pro-Choice New York, in partnership with co-sponsors the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center, the National Coalition for LGBT Health and Lambda Legal, hosted “Choices: Reproductive Rights and the LGBTQ Community.” Presenters spoke about the work they do to ensure that all people are supported in their choice to parent and start families, that the unique needs and experiences of LGBTQ individuals are affirmed by healthcare providers, systems and policies and that the rights of LGBTQ individuals to reproductive freedom are upheld and fought for within our legal system. Presenters included: Terry Boggis, Director, Center Kids the family program of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Rebecca Fox, Director, the National Coalition for LGBT Health Leslie Gabel-Brett, Director of Education & Public Affairs, Lambda Legal Choices: Abortion On July 8, 2009, NARAL Pro-Choice New York and the National Institute for Reproductive Health, in partnership with co-sponsors the New York Abortion Access Fund and Exhale, hosted “Choices: Abortion.” Presenters shared the work they do each day to provide financial assistance to low-income women who cannot afford to pay for an abortion, support and counsel women after they have an abortion, ensure that all women have the health care coverage and access necessary to obtain reproductive health care, and work on the legislative and political levels to ensure that all people have access to safe and legal abortion. Presenters included: Constance DeCherney, Board Chair, New York Abortion Access Fund Kristen Schultz Oliver, Lead Trainer, Exhale Myra Batchelder, Director, Low-Income Access Program, the National Institute for Reproductive Health Sabrina Shulman, Political Director, NARAL Pro-Choice New York
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