Happy holidays and congratulations on finishing the semester!
Some exciting updates:
-T-Shirts are in! If you want a t-shirt, and can wait until you return to College Park, comment on the blog and say what size to set aside and for whom. The smalls are going really fast! The t-shirts are feminine cut, but standard sizing applies (somebody who is a 8-10-12 can comfortably wear a medium). They are purple and say "Keep Your Politics out of my Panties!" on the front of them. They are $12.
-If you would like to order your t-shirt and pay shipping, we are still working on the best way to process the order, so stay tuned for details. If you would like to simply pick it up, they will be at the first meeting of the semester.
-A big thank you to everybody who came out to protest GAP, we are hoping to devise a different (more aggressive) response for the spring.
-If you would like to escort over winter break, email the gmail account.
Thanks for a great semester!
-Terps for Choice
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
GAP
In the coming week, the Genocide Awareness Project will be coming to campus.
This project is incredibly graphic, incredibly hostile, and incredibly insensitive to almost everyone who views it.
The project has several purposes. The first one is to "tell the real story" of what happens during an abortion. The problem is that the audience has no way of telling if this is the real story. The photographs used are supposedly unaltered an supposedly straight from the offices of abortion offices.
I called the project itself to find out where the images come from and was told that "some doctors who kill babies allow us to pay them to take pictures". I asked why these doctors would allow the Center for Bioethical Reform to take the pictures and asked whether CBR lied to them to obtain the picture. I was told that any more information about obtaining the pictures was confidential and he wouldn't answer my questions. If you look at the pictures on CBR's website, it is very obvious that at the very least, the subject of the images has been altered, adding in coins and repositioning the remains to drive home their point. These images are most likely real and truthfully titled, but because they are unwilling to actually cite the images it is impossible to say for sure.
Another purpose of the project is to evoke feelings of shame. They want to make women who have had abortions feel ashamed. Women who know women who have had abortions to feel ashamed. Men who "let" their wives or girlfriends or friends have abortions feel ashamed. They believe that women who have abortions have been lied to, do not understand what has happened, and feel that they should not feel guilty about terminating a pregnancy.
After making women feel sufficiently guilty about having an abortion, they refer her to an organization like "Project Rachel" which "counsels" women who regret their abortions. Because many women who have abortions have more than one, their hope is to prevent women who have had abortions from having a second abortion. Instead of offering better advice on birth control and trying to help men and women understand the mishaps that led to the pregnancy in the first place, they simply heap guilt on people.
In addition to those who have had abortions or known those who have, they wish to make everyone feel ashamed. If you feel ashamed or disgusted by the images of GAP, they feel that it proves their point that abortion is morally wrong. It doesn't prove anything except that these people are sick and have no problem trying to force their opinions down other people's throats.
Another main purpose is to use shock value to force people to agree with them. If they can shock enough people, they can win. For every angry person who engages with them, they see an opportunity to convince that person of their point. Every person who goes up to their display and asks them a question about it, they count as a victory. They believe they are changing hearts and minds. They will not actually answer your questions. If you try to ask them questions like "do you think abortion should be illegal?" or "would you rather that a woman used Emergency Contraception or had an abortion" or "why don't you hand out condoms as a way of preventing abortion?", your questions will go unanswered and all you will get is a lecture on why they are right about abortion being immoral. Don't approach the display, don't engage, don't give them the satisfaction of trying to "change" your mind.
This post is not to disparage the work of Students for Life. Students for Life is a well run student organization on campus who has merely made the mistake of inviting GAP to campus, or, as has been the case in the past, allowed themselves to be bullied by GAP into bringing them to campus. The "endorsement" letter to GAP on the first page of the CBR website from UMD SFL thanks GAP for pushing them to bring GAP to campus four years ago. It is important to differentiate between the Students for Life and the Genocide Awareness Project.
Remember to stay away from GAP on November 29th and 30th! It will be larger than life on Hornbake Mall, angering students and faculty accross campus. If you wish to help out Terps for Choice, we will be distributing flyers and condoms on Hornbake Mall during both days. Contact terpsforchoice@gmail.com or come to our meeting tonight for more information! (6:45 in Banneker B)
This project is incredibly graphic, incredibly hostile, and incredibly insensitive to almost everyone who views it.
The project has several purposes. The first one is to "tell the real story" of what happens during an abortion. The problem is that the audience has no way of telling if this is the real story. The photographs used are supposedly unaltered an supposedly straight from the offices of abortion offices.
I called the project itself to find out where the images come from and was told that "some doctors who kill babies allow us to pay them to take pictures". I asked why these doctors would allow the Center for Bioethical Reform to take the pictures and asked whether CBR lied to them to obtain the picture. I was told that any more information about obtaining the pictures was confidential and he wouldn't answer my questions. If you look at the pictures on CBR's website, it is very obvious that at the very least, the subject of the images has been altered, adding in coins and repositioning the remains to drive home their point. These images are most likely real and truthfully titled, but because they are unwilling to actually cite the images it is impossible to say for sure.
Another purpose of the project is to evoke feelings of shame. They want to make women who have had abortions feel ashamed. Women who know women who have had abortions to feel ashamed. Men who "let" their wives or girlfriends or friends have abortions feel ashamed. They believe that women who have abortions have been lied to, do not understand what has happened, and feel that they should not feel guilty about terminating a pregnancy.
After making women feel sufficiently guilty about having an abortion, they refer her to an organization like "Project Rachel" which "counsels" women who regret their abortions. Because many women who have abortions have more than one, their hope is to prevent women who have had abortions from having a second abortion. Instead of offering better advice on birth control and trying to help men and women understand the mishaps that led to the pregnancy in the first place, they simply heap guilt on people.
In addition to those who have had abortions or known those who have, they wish to make everyone feel ashamed. If you feel ashamed or disgusted by the images of GAP, they feel that it proves their point that abortion is morally wrong. It doesn't prove anything except that these people are sick and have no problem trying to force their opinions down other people's throats.
Another main purpose is to use shock value to force people to agree with them. If they can shock enough people, they can win. For every angry person who engages with them, they see an opportunity to convince that person of their point. Every person who goes up to their display and asks them a question about it, they count as a victory. They believe they are changing hearts and minds. They will not actually answer your questions. If you try to ask them questions like "do you think abortion should be illegal?" or "would you rather that a woman used Emergency Contraception or had an abortion" or "why don't you hand out condoms as a way of preventing abortion?", your questions will go unanswered and all you will get is a lecture on why they are right about abortion being immoral. Don't approach the display, don't engage, don't give them the satisfaction of trying to "change" your mind.
This post is not to disparage the work of Students for Life. Students for Life is a well run student organization on campus who has merely made the mistake of inviting GAP to campus, or, as has been the case in the past, allowed themselves to be bullied by GAP into bringing them to campus. The "endorsement" letter to GAP on the first page of the CBR website from UMD SFL thanks GAP for pushing them to bring GAP to campus four years ago. It is important to differentiate between the Students for Life and the Genocide Awareness Project.
Remember to stay away from GAP on November 29th and 30th! It will be larger than life on Hornbake Mall, angering students and faculty accross campus. If you wish to help out Terps for Choice, we will be distributing flyers and condoms on Hornbake Mall during both days. Contact terpsforchoice@gmail.com or come to our meeting tonight for more information! (6:45 in Banneker B)
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Information for the Reader
A few articles about D&E abortions, for those who don't know why they're so important.
Prize Winning Article from Ms. Magazine
And more food for thought.
Prize Winning Article from Ms. Magazine
And more food for thought.
Victory!
We're still working through the numbers to see whether we actually have a pro-choice U.S. Senate, House, and MD Senate and House, but we at Terps for Choice are proud to say that Maryland has elected Pro-Choice Ben Cardin to the US Senate and Pro-Choice Martin O'Malley to the Governor's Mansion.
A huge thank you to everyone who worked on a campaign or helped make these important pro-choice victories possible! We won a huge number of our local state senate and house races, but we're not quite sure how the numbers shake out.
Remember-just because somebody is a democrat does not mean that they are pro-choice, for example, Right-Wing Nut Rick Santorum was beaten by an anti-chioce Democrat.
Additionally, some great pro-choice Republican women such as Jean Cryor lost their races. We thank Delegate Cryor and all the other pro-choice incumbents for their years of service to Maryland's women.
A huge thank you to everyone who worked on a campaign or helped make these important pro-choice victories possible! We won a huge number of our local state senate and house races, but we're not quite sure how the numbers shake out.
Remember-just because somebody is a democrat does not mean that they are pro-choice, for example, Right-Wing Nut Rick Santorum was beaten by an anti-chioce Democrat.
Additionally, some great pro-choice Republican women such as Jean Cryor lost their races. We thank Delegate Cryor and all the other pro-choice incumbents for their years of service to Maryland's women.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Evening of Chocolate Review and Updates
A huuuuuuuge thanks to all t4cers that came out to the Evening of Chocolate. The gala was a huge sucess and you all did such a great job.
We will be meeting next monday to talk about everything else coming up this fall, and to start planning what we will do to combat the Trojan study of sex education in colleges that rated Maryland as #61 in the nation for sex education.
We will be meeting next monday to talk about everything else coming up this fall, and to start planning what we will do to combat the Trojan study of sex education in colleges that rated Maryland as #61 in the nation for sex education.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Evening of Chocolate Volunteers!
Calling all people who like to dress up, help out, bartend, serve, or just eat chocolate!
Come to volunteer at NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland's 25th Anniversary Evening of Chocolate Gala!
If you are interested in volunteering, please email terpsforchoice@gmail.com and let us know immediately so we can coordinate rides!
For more information about the event, visit www.prochoicemd.org.
Come to volunteer at NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland's 25th Anniversary Evening of Chocolate Gala!
If you are interested in volunteering, please email terpsforchoice@gmail.com and let us know immediately so we can coordinate rides!
For more information about the event, visit www.prochoicemd.org.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Updates!
The debate last night was very interesting and informative, thanks to all who showed up!
We are now starting our fall agenda, and looking ahead to the Evening of Chocolate
Some upcoming Terps for Choice events include:
October 9 @ 6:45pm T-Shirt Decorating meeting! We will be decorating our own pro-choice t-shirts
October 12 @ 7:00pm Evening of Chocolate Volunteer Training. See www.prochoicemd.org for details!
October 20 @ 6-10pm Evening of Chocolate Baking Party! Come help us bake delicious goodies for the Evening of Chocolate
October 21 Afternoon/Evening Evening of Chocolate Gala! Come help out with the Evening of Chocolate!
We will also be escorting on more weekends because Students for Life has upped their turnout at the Greenbelt Clinic!
We are now starting our fall agenda, and looking ahead to the Evening of Chocolate
Some upcoming Terps for Choice events include:
October 9 @ 6:45pm T-Shirt Decorating meeting! We will be decorating our own pro-choice t-shirts
October 12 @ 7:00pm Evening of Chocolate Volunteer Training. See www.prochoicemd.org for details!
October 20 @ 6-10pm Evening of Chocolate Baking Party! Come help us bake delicious goodies for the Evening of Chocolate
October 21 Afternoon/Evening Evening of Chocolate Gala! Come help out with the Evening of Chocolate!
We will also be escorting on more weekends because Students for Life has upped their turnout at the Greenbelt Clinic!
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Debate Tonight!
Come tonight to see Terps for Choice and Students for Life debate!
If there is one thing you do for choice this year, it should be attending this debate and showing that the University of Maryland has a clear pro-choice majority!
If there is one thing you do for choice this year, it should be attending this debate and showing that the University of Maryland has a clear pro-choice majority!
Friday, September 29, 2006
This Week!
ABORTION DEBATE
We and Students for Life are hosting an abortion debate this week.
It will be on Thursday Oct. 5th at 7pm in 0106 Key (the main lecture hall). It should turn out to be a great event and we are hoping to get as much pro-choice support as possible! So come, bring a friend, or tell someone! You can look the event up on facebook to get more details.
Meeting this Monday! We will be meeting at 6:45pm in Benjamin Banneker Room B in the Union. We're going to be doing some last minute publicity prep for the debate and will need some help. We will also start discussing our next event that we are doing.
Also - Tuesday we are going to be handing out candy and condoms on Hornbake to advertise for the debate. If you want to help out with that, come on Monday!
Thanks!
We and Students for Life are hosting an abortion debate this week.
It will be on Thursday Oct. 5th at 7pm in 0106 Key (the main lecture hall). It should turn out to be a great event and we are hoping to get as much pro-choice support as possible! So come, bring a friend, or tell someone! You can look the event up on facebook to get more details.
Meeting this Monday! We will be meeting at 6:45pm in Benjamin Banneker Room B in the Union. We're going to be doing some last minute publicity prep for the debate and will need some help. We will also start discussing our next event that we are doing.
Also - Tuesday we are going to be handing out candy and condoms on Hornbake to advertise for the debate. If you want to help out with that, come on Monday!
Thanks!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Gearing up for the Debate!
A big shout out to any new readers since the First Look Fair, the fair was very sucessful and we got a ton of new interested people on our listserv. If you aren't recieving meeting updates and want to be, just join our facebook group.
We are gearing up for our big debate against Students for Life next week. We have had a change of speaker, but the event still remains the same and we need all the pro-choice students on campus to come out!
Betsy Cavendish (us) will be debating Stephanie Gray (them). She will probably be bringing her usual piles of disgusting, sensationalized images, so we want lots of pro-choicers in the audience to make sure that SFL knows that UMD students don't approve of the use of disgusting and misleading images to change people's minds.
Cavendish is a graduate of Yale Law school and a very accomplished person. She was interim president of NARAL Pro-Choice America for a time period, and she is very experienced. Hearing her speak is a great opportunity, and attending the debate is a great way to show that you are pro-choice.
Our new t-shirts will hopefully arive in time to be sold at the debate!
We are gearing up for our big debate against Students for Life next week. We have had a change of speaker, but the event still remains the same and we need all the pro-choice students on campus to come out!
Betsy Cavendish (us) will be debating Stephanie Gray (them). She will probably be bringing her usual piles of disgusting, sensationalized images, so we want lots of pro-choicers in the audience to make sure that SFL knows that UMD students don't approve of the use of disgusting and misleading images to change people's minds.
Cavendish is a graduate of Yale Law school and a very accomplished person. She was interim president of NARAL Pro-Choice America for a time period, and she is very experienced. Hearing her speak is a great opportunity, and attending the debate is a great way to show that you are pro-choice.
Our new t-shirts will hopefully arive in time to be sold at the debate!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Look for us Today at the First Look Fair!
Check out our table at the First Look Fair, we will be passing out literature, condoms, and all kinds of cool stuff.
We will also be taking orders for our fall t-shirts, seen below. Come on by!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Terps for Choice Meeting Commence!
We started meetings last Monday night, and our current meeting time is Monday at 6:45.
The meeting was very productive, and we are looking forward to working with a lot of new members this year.
We have also made plans for our upcoming meetings!
Monday, 9/18 we will be scheduling and organizing ourselves for the first look fair.
Monday, 10/02 we will be organizing for our CANDY and CONDOMS distribution on Hornbake Plaza on Tuesday, 10/03...which will publicize for our debate with Students for Life, on that Thursday, 10/05.
Sometime in October we will be having a t-shirt decorating meeting where we decorate free t-shirts with pro-choice slogans-come join us for free t-shirts and a great time.
A lot is coming up, so please stop by our booth at the first look fair for more information!
The meeting was very productive, and we are looking forward to working with a lot of new members this year.
We have also made plans for our upcoming meetings!
Monday, 9/18 we will be scheduling and organizing ourselves for the first look fair.
Monday, 10/02 we will be organizing for our CANDY and CONDOMS distribution on Hornbake Plaza on Tuesday, 10/03...which will publicize for our debate with Students for Life, on that Thursday, 10/05.
Sometime in October we will be having a t-shirt decorating meeting where we decorate free t-shirts with pro-choice slogans-come join us for free t-shirts and a great time.
A lot is coming up, so please stop by our booth at the first look fair for more information!
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Plan B Over the Counter
Plan B was recently given over-the-counter status for women over the age of 18. While this is a huge victory for women, particularly students at the University, there are also some drawbacks.
- Women under the age of 18 will still need a prescription, leaving some minor freshmen and sophomores SOL on days the health center isn't open.
- The drug will only be sold by licensed pharmacists and you must present identification saying you are over 18 to recieve the drug. EC will not be sold in places like convenience stores or non-pharmacy places.
- Anti-Choicers still hate EC, and it may still be covered by pharmacist refusals.
FIrst Meeting Coming Up!
Our first meeting will be Monday, September 11, 2006 at 6:45 pm.
Come ready to talk about the primary on Tuesday, to make plans for the first look fair on the 21st, to discuss the Evening of Chocolate, and to make plans for upcoming meetings and events, like our debate event and our Cookies and Condoms event. We are also going to have a Debate with Students for Life on October 5th.
Come with your ideas for meetings, events, the first look fair, and new T-Shirts.
Come ready to talk about the primary on Tuesday, to make plans for the first look fair on the 21st, to discuss the Evening of Chocolate, and to make plans for upcoming meetings and events, like our debate event and our Cookies and Condoms event. We are also going to have a Debate with Students for Life on October 5th.
Come with your ideas for meetings, events, the first look fair, and new T-Shirts.
Thursday, August 17, 2006
For your own amusement.
They say that feminists have no sense of humor, but if you check out this article from The Onion, and then check out the anti-choice reaction here you will realize we are not the ones lacking a sense of humor. (Please note that there is a graphic picture at the top of the anti-choice blog, added after the post recieved so much attention from the press.)
Major press was attracted to the ridiculousness of the post, and the following article in the Baltimore Sun was published.
The condemnation from the blogger was swift and furious.
The target of his ire was a woman named Caroline Weber who had written an article about her plans for an abortion.
The blogger, who goes only by the name Pete, was particularly upset with Weber's apparent enthusiasm over her impending procedure and was further outraged by Weber's complaint that her HMO wouldn't pay for her contraceptives.
"Sorry ma'am, if you hadn't had sex you wouldn't have gotten pregnant, it's not the HMO's fault for not supporting your promiscuity while not married" he wrote last week at marchtogether.blogspot.com.
"Miss Weber, you have killed your child, which you admit is a baby/human being, intentionally. That does make you an admitted murderer," the diatribe continued. "I'm going to pray for your forgiveness and for the suffering which you will endure when you realize what you have done. Every baby you see from that moment on is going to wake you up to the realization that you killed your child."
But Pete's rant fell on deaf ears - or rather, no ears at all. Caroline Weber exists only in the imagination of the staff of The Onion.
Oblivious of The Onion's satirical nature, Pete had apparently stumbled across a 1999 article titled "I'm Totally Psyched About This Abortion!" that included over-the-top gems like this:
"So, to all of you pro-lifers who are trying to rain on my parade, keep it to yourself, because I don't have the time for that kind of negativity. I've got an abortion to plan, and I just know it's going to be the best non-anesthetized invasive uterine surgery ever!"
A lot of people were scratching their heads over how such outrageous satire could be taken for the gospel truth and comments flowed in by the hundreds.
"I'm pro life, but sweet Jesus you're an idiot. For your next post, how about a passionate speech on the need to immediately free Prince Albert from the can?" wrote one amused reader.
"You poor, poor idiot. You are never going to live this down. Just give up this blog and start over," wrote another.
"Dumbest. Blogger. Ever," summed up a third.
Undeterred by the free-flowing criticism, Pete wrote a follow-up post a few days later.
"Needless to say, a few people wanted to let me know that I was a dolt for thinking that her article was real. As a matter of fact, call me a dolt, because in the beginning I really did think it was real. Why? because I meet women like her in the field all the time," he wrote.
Pete didn't dwell long on his stupendous gaffe and instead attempted to use his newfound Internet fame to further preach his anti-abortion message. But the howls kept pouring in.
The massive group sites Fark.com and MetaFilter.com had latched on to the story, and it was well on its way to spreading to the far ends of the Web - one more example of an embarrassing misstep leading to instant Internet infamy.
Pete isn't the first person to confuse Onion articles with straight news stories, but he's paying a particularly tough price for his mistake.
The ridicule from the blogosphere has been swift and furious.
Major press was attracted to the ridiculousness of the post, and the following article in the Baltimore Sun was published.
Fictitious abortion bamboozles a blogger
On Blogs: Troy McCullough
The condemnation from the blogger was swift and furious.
The target of his ire was a woman named Caroline Weber who had written an article about her plans for an abortion.
The blogger, who goes only by the name Pete, was particularly upset with Weber's apparent enthusiasm over her impending procedure and was further outraged by Weber's complaint that her HMO wouldn't pay for her contraceptives.
"Sorry ma'am, if you hadn't had sex you wouldn't have gotten pregnant, it's not the HMO's fault for not supporting your promiscuity while not married" he wrote last week at marchtogether.blogspot.com.
"Miss Weber, you have killed your child, which you admit is a baby/human being, intentionally. That does make you an admitted murderer," the diatribe continued. "I'm going to pray for your forgiveness and for the suffering which you will endure when you realize what you have done. Every baby you see from that moment on is going to wake you up to the realization that you killed your child."
But Pete's rant fell on deaf ears - or rather, no ears at all. Caroline Weber exists only in the imagination of the staff of The Onion.
Oblivious of The Onion's satirical nature, Pete had apparently stumbled across a 1999 article titled "I'm Totally Psyched About This Abortion!" that included over-the-top gems like this:
"So, to all of you pro-lifers who are trying to rain on my parade, keep it to yourself, because I don't have the time for that kind of negativity. I've got an abortion to plan, and I just know it's going to be the best non-anesthetized invasive uterine surgery ever!"
A lot of people were scratching their heads over how such outrageous satire could be taken for the gospel truth and comments flowed in by the hundreds.
"I'm pro life, but sweet Jesus you're an idiot. For your next post, how about a passionate speech on the need to immediately free Prince Albert from the can?" wrote one amused reader.
"You poor, poor idiot. You are never going to live this down. Just give up this blog and start over," wrote another.
"Dumbest. Blogger. Ever," summed up a third.
Undeterred by the free-flowing criticism, Pete wrote a follow-up post a few days later.
"Needless to say, a few people wanted to let me know that I was a dolt for thinking that her article was real. As a matter of fact, call me a dolt, because in the beginning I really did think it was real. Why? because I meet women like her in the field all the time," he wrote.
Pete didn't dwell long on his stupendous gaffe and instead attempted to use his newfound Internet fame to further preach his anti-abortion message. But the howls kept pouring in.
The massive group sites Fark.com and MetaFilter.com had latched on to the story, and it was well on its way to spreading to the far ends of the Web - one more example of an embarrassing misstep leading to instant Internet infamy.
Pete isn't the first person to confuse Onion articles with straight news stories, but he's paying a particularly tough price for his mistake.
The ridicule from the blogosphere has been swift and furious.
Terrapin Pride Basket
Terps for Choice is assembling a "Terrapin Pride Basket" for the annual Evening of Chocolate Gala in the fall. The basket will be auctioned off, and will include valuable prizes such as tickets to sporting events, performing arts events, t-shirts, can cozies, and terrapin apparel.
If you wish to donate University of Maryland items to the basket, please let us know.
If you wish to donate University of Maryland items to the basket, please let us know.
Thursday, August 10, 2006
NARAL Pro Choice Maryland Internship
Intern With NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland
NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland is seeking fall semester interns to work on a wide variety of issues. An internship may be tailored to meet your interests.
Areas we work on include:
1) Reproductive Health Care Equity for Women of Color
2) Comprehensive Sexuality Education
3) Access to Emergency Contraception
4) Statewide Family Planning Access
5) Pro-Choice Values and Religion
6) Identifying and Electing Pro-Choice Candidates
This is a great opportunity to gain skills in politics, volunteer management, activism, fundraising, public health, and business.
If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter to Sarah Hund at shund@prochoicemd.org.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Madams Organ Happy Hour!
College students never turn down a chance at Happy Hour, especially if it's for a good cause like supporting NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland! And on Thursday, August 31st, what better way to kick off the school year than grabbing your friends and heading downtown?
Arrive at 5pm for Happy Hour and stay all night to listen to the live music and keep our fundraiser going! At Madams Organ Happy Hours every Thursday, you will be sure to enjoy the atmosphere of a live blues bar and soul food restaurant that has repeatedly been voted one of the top 20 in the entire country.
Hope to see you there!
Arrive at 5pm for Happy Hour and stay all night to listen to the live music and keep our fundraiser going! At Madams Organ Happy Hours every Thursday, you will be sure to enjoy the atmosphere of a live blues bar and soul food restaurant that has repeatedly been voted one of the top 20 in the entire country.
Madams Organ is located at 2461 18th Street NW, Adams Morgan, Washington, DC
Hope to see you there!
Safe Sex
Here at Terps for Choice we like to encourage students who are sexually active to engage in safer-sex practices. A few reminders that you might find helpful, especially as you go back to school this year:
- Most Sexually Transmitted Infections are asymptomatic, so if you have one you probably don't know it. HPV is the most commonly spread STI at the University of Maryland. Not only is HPV the virus that causes genital warts, it is the virus that has been linked to cervical cancer, and it is spread by skin-to-skin contact, so you may want to be a little more careful about what you are doing and who you are doing it with.
- Condoms should always be your primary method of birth control and STI prevention. It is okay to use birth control pills or other methods as a back-up to condoms, but condoms are the only real way to prevent STIs. (Technically abstinence is also an available "method" but if you believe in that you probably aren't reading this.) If you need to obtain condoms quietly and discreetly, try ordering them online from www.condom.com or www.condomania.com.
- Emergency Contraception, or The Morning After Pill is available from the Campus Health Center and is more effective the sooner you take it, so don't waste time thinking "well, the condom broke but maybe I'll be okay" or "I just finished my period so I shouldn't worry". Just call 301-314-8184 and get EC as soon as possible.
- Try not to combine drugs and alcohol with sex. There can be many negative consequences to drinking or doing drugs before hooking up, from unprotected sex to date rape. The more impaired you are, the easier it is for somebody to take advantage of you.
- If you do plan to have sex away from your nightstand, carry multiple condoms with you. Having a condom on hand that breaks will lead to frustrated dissapointment or bad choices like unprotected sex.
- Visit the doctor or gynocologist regularly, especially if you are having sex with multiple partners frequently. Remember-you should go for a checkup annually no matter what.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Terps for Choice on Facebook
If you are a new Terp or a Terp who is new to Terps for Choice, make sure you join the Terps for Choice facebook group!
We use the facebook group to keep in touch with members and to let people know about our upcoming events and meetings, so make sure you join!
We use the facebook group to keep in touch with members and to let people know about our upcoming events and meetings, so make sure you join!
Friday, July 28, 2006
Escorting
We regularly escort at a nearby abortion clinic. Escorting involves walking women from their cars into the clinic as protestors yell things at them from the sidewalk and/or pray for them while attempting to give them information.
We feel that not only is protesting women who are going into the clinic to recieve services is incredibly invasive and rude, we feel that women's choices belong to nobody but themselves. Because this is a full service clinic, women going in may be recieving anything from abortions to PAP smears, which makes protesting particularly rude.
Terps for Choice members are trained escorts, trained by the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force, and escorting at this clinic happens on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to around noon or whenever the protestors get tired and retreat. Escorting is extremely safe at this clinic, because protestors are not allowed to step onto the paved parking lot that marks the property line of the clinic. Terps for Choice held 2 formal trainings for members in the past year, but for the coming year we hope to be able to train interested escorts on-site or at other trainings held in the area.
If you are interested in escorting, please contact us.
We feel that not only is protesting women who are going into the clinic to recieve services is incredibly invasive and rude, we feel that women's choices belong to nobody but themselves. Because this is a full service clinic, women going in may be recieving anything from abortions to PAP smears, which makes protesting particularly rude.
Terps for Choice members are trained escorts, trained by the Washington Area Clinic Defense Task Force, and escorting at this clinic happens on Saturday mornings from 9:30 to around noon or whenever the protestors get tired and retreat. Escorting is extremely safe at this clinic, because protestors are not allowed to step onto the paved parking lot that marks the property line of the clinic. Terps for Choice held 2 formal trainings for members in the past year, but for the coming year we hope to be able to train interested escorts on-site or at other trainings held in the area.
If you are interested in escorting, please contact us.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Welcome!
This is the first Terps for Choice Blog post and it's very exciting because there is a lot going on right now. Terps for Choice is beginning to plan its fall activites - stay tuned for updates about our first meetings of the year, which will include a t-shirt making meeting (with free t-shirts!) and a movie night. We are also planning our booth for the First Look Fair, actively recruiting from our growing membership base, and will be hosting a "Cookies and Condoms" event this fall.
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