Blue Mountain Clinic Newsletter- May 2012

Providing high quality, patient-centered primary and reproductive care since 1977

Greetings!

For those of you who have not yet heard- Anita has decided to leave Blue Mountain Clinic to pursue her creative dreams! While we are extremely proud of her, we are sad to see her go. Anita's energy has been instrumental in the evolution of the clinic since 2007, and she is leaving some giant boots to fill. That said, the position of Executive Director has been split into two. Annie Hansen has moved into the role of Director- managing the clinic. A new position- Director of Development, Outreach and Communication- has also been created to assist Annie in her role.

I am delighted to introduce myself to you and the greater Missoula community. I am a Missoula native, recently returned from Kenya in order to assume this role. Why would a young Missoulian leave a cushy government funded job in Africa? Two reasons:

1. BMC is a rare gem in terms of reproductive health care- and I mean globally. When BMC opened in 1977 there were hundreds of independent feminist health clinics based in equality centered ethos. Today there are only 13. My experience accessing health care all over the world has shown me that the BMC model is truly special. To have the opportunity to work here and learn from the staff and patients is a once in a life time experience.
2. The WAR ON WOMEN. Since the 1970s, there has never been such a real threat to reproductive rights. Furthermore, there has never been such a cultural acceptance of misogyny. This is a critical time in our nation's history and now is more important than ever that advocates for equality and reproductive rights work together to uphold gender rights. If we do not, we only have ourselves to blame.

Again, I am honored to have been chosen to join BMC and work together with you and the rest of Montana's amazing activists to protect choice and reproductive rights. Please help us win this war! I will keep you updated with ways you can be tangibly involved-especially during this election cycle. And remember- you can always donate :)

Warm Regards,

Lynsey L. Bourke

Director of Development, Outreach and Communications

(406)203-6362

LB@bluemountainclinic.org

Update: More Scary Affronts to Reproductive Rights and Choice

The Good, The Bad and the Downright Ugly...

Now- there are two scary anti-choice initiatives that BMC and the good people of the Montana Reproductive Rights Coalition are currently worried about. Both bills would work to restrict access to abortion in Montana, one would eliminate it completely. While the anti-choicers primary focus is on preventing abortion outright, there are several unintended and far reaching consequences besides abortion that would effect our communities. 

1.  LR-120 Also Known As: Parental Notification

•  What is this? Referendum to "require parental notification prior to abortion for a minor, providing for judicial waiver of notification"
• When will this be decided? This will be on the November 6 ballot!

If LR-120 passes, how will that impact Montana families and teens?

• Girls under the age of 17 will not be able to access abortion services without parental consent.
• Girls who do not wish to tell their parents for a number of reasons (rape, incest, fear of her parents etc) can get a "judicial waiver". However, this means that she would have to go in front of a judge and "prove" that she is "mature" enough to handle the decision of whether or not to become a parent without her parents. This measure has already been passed in other US states. One young woman in West Virginia, who's judicial waiver was denied said, "It is unfair that one man has the power to make a decision that will effect the rest of my life".
• Some young women may be forced to carry a pregnancy to term by her parents against her will.
• This may force some young women to drastic measures in order to prevent her parents from discovering her pregnancy.

How can I prevent this?

• Vote NO on LR-120.
• Tell everyone you know the implications of this referendum.

    2.   Proposed Ballot Initiative: CI-108- Also Known As "Personhood"

This proposed ballot initiative will, "amend the Montana Constitution's due process section to define "person" to include every human being at any state of development, including fertilization or conception". This bill would technically outlaw abortion in Montana.

• What is this? An attempt to outlaw abortion in Montana by legally defining life at conception.
• When will it be decided? Currently, anti-choicers are on the streets trying to get enough signatures to include CI-108 on the November 6th ballot. They are enticing voters to sign, asking them, "do you support human rights for all people? If yes, sign this bill".

 If CI-108 passes, there will be the following unintended consequences (besides preventing abortion):

• Some forms of birth control will be also outlawed.
• Stem-cell research and in-vitro fertilization will also be outlawed.
• Miscarriages could become an issue of the state, and women recovering from miscarriage could be investigated and potentially imprisoned for "suspected abortion".

How Can I prevent This?

• Do NOT sign CI-108.
• Tell everyone you know the real implications of this proposed ballot initiative.


For more information contact Lynsey Bourke- LB@bluemountainclinic.org or 406-203-6362