June 23, 2011 – 7pm – Joyce Beers Community Center
“The same cast of characters currently engaged in attacks on Planned Parenthood, other Family Planning Clinics and Title X in general, are also in the forefront throwing roadblocks in front of DADT repeal, fighting against marriage equality and fighting against employment protections – and even hate crimes protections – for LGBT people” according to Jacqueline Palmer, Membership Director for San Diego Democratic Club. She continued, “Women’s reproductive rights IS an LGBT issue.”
The San Diego Democratic Club’s June 23rd meeting will host a panel discussion on the unprecedented range of attacks, ranging from lies or “not factual statements” about the percentage of Planned Parenthood’s budget dedicated to abortion, defunding attempts at the State and Federal levels, restrictions on access to health care services and even clinic attacks and assassinations of doctors providing care. SDDC Program Director, Carla Kirkwood stated, “House Republicans, in their attempts to block funding for Family Planning Clinics, Planned Parenthood and to undermine Title X, actually voted to allow more people to die of breast cancer, cervical and testicular cancer, and AIDS.”
SDDC’s monthly meeting is on Thursday, June 23rd. The meeting begins at 7:00 PM, following a 6:30 PM social with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks at Joyce Beers Community Center at 1220 Cleveland Avenue, two blocks North of University Avenue (across from Trader Joe’s) in Hillcrest. The panel will consist of three advocates for democratic rights and reproductive justice who will present a counter perspective to this Republican attack:
Vince Hall is Vice President of Public Affairs & Communications for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. He played a significant role in Planned Parenthood’s successful statewide campaigns against Propositions 73, 85, and 4. He previously served as Staff Director to Governor Gray Davis and District Director to Representative Bob Filner. He holds a J.D. from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and a B.A. in Communication from San Diego State University.
Jenn Kish earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles and a law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. While in law school, Jenn founded the Thomas Jefferson Chapter of Law Students for Reproductive Justice, a national organization committed to the advancement of reproductive rights as basic human and civil rights. Jenn currently serves on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, and is Vice-Chair of the San Diego Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Jenn is in the process of launching the “Planned Parenthood Network,” a group for Planned Parenthood supporters in their 20’s, 30’s, and 40’s looking to engage the next generation of reproductive health advocates in San Diego.
Matt Stephens is a partner in the Progressive Law Group and a Lecturer at the University of California. Matt is a graduate of Rutgers School of Law, and served as Chair of the City of San Diego’s Human Relations Commission (twice) and on the Board of Directors for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center and the ACLU. He was appointed by Mayor Jerry Sanders to serve on the City Civil Service Commission in 2008, where he currently serves as Vice-President. Matt also served on the Finance Committee to defeat Proposition 8. He has been awarded the San Diego County Bar Association Award for Outstanding Service to the Community; the Pro Bono Publico Distinguished Service Award from the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program and the San Diego Democratic Club’s Gloria Steinem Communication Award.
More about San Diego Democratic Club:
The San Diego Democratic Club, an affiliate of National Stonewall Democrats, was founded in 1975 and is the largest club chartered with the Democratic Party in San Diego County. SDDC’s mission is to secure for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people the equal human rights guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution of the United States, to foster the ideals of the Democratic Party and to contribute to the Party’s growth and influence.
For further information about this release:
- David Warmoth marketing@sddemoclub.org 619-708-4436
- www.sddemoclub.org
- www.facebook.com/sddemocrats
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