| 1. |
Who is NARAL Pro-Choice Washington? |
| Our 12,000 members: mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sisters and brothers work together to preserve and expand safe reproductive health care in Washington state. We are the strongest grassroots network of pro-choice activists in Washington.
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| 2. |
When and why was NARAL founded? |
| NARAL was first founded in 1969 with the goal of ensuring access to safe and legal abortion, effective contraceptive options, and quality reproductive health care. In the decades since then, NARAL has expanded its mission to include affiliate organizations in several states. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington was founded in 1975 to protect and expand reproductive freedom in Washington state.
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| 3. |
What does NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Do? |
The Mission of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington is:To develop and sustain a constituency that uses the political process to guarantee every woman the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion.
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| 4. |
Is NARAL Pro-Choice Washington pro-abortion? |
| We are pro-choice. We support every woman's fundamental right to make her own choice about pregnancy and child-bearing, including abortion.
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| 5. |
What is Roe v. Wade? |
On January 22, 1973, the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade, ruling that a woman's right to terminate a pregnancy is encompassed in the constitution's protection of individual privacy. A woman's decision whether or not to continue a pregnancy is a fundamental right. With this ruling the Court imposed the highest degree of constitutional protection - strict scrutiny - to any government seeking to restrict that fundamental right.
Despite this landmark ruling, choice is still under attack. To learn more about the history of this judicial decision, click here. To learn more about other attacks on choice, click here. To help us in our fight to preserve the freedom of reproductive choice, click here.
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| 6. |
Is the right to choose really in danger? |
Yes - and now more than ever. Here are just a few of the ways that a woman's right to choose is currently under attack:
- Over 300 anti-choice bills have been passed into law since 1998, and many more are now being considered.
- Both the executive and legislative branches of the federal government are controlled by anti-choice supporters.
- The Bush administration is currently trying to stack the judiciary with anti-choice judicial nominees to gain an anti-choice majority in the judicial branch of the government as well.
- Roe v. Wade is only one vote away from being overturned, an especially dangerous situation considering that Bush is likely to have the opportunity to appoint at least one Supreme Court Justice.
- Although abortion is legal, the number of abortion providers is dramatically decreasing throughout the nation.
- Parental consent laws often put abortion services out of reach of minors.
To help us preserve women's right to choose once and for all, click here to find out what you can do.
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| 7. |
Can men get involved too? |
| Absolutely! Reproductive freedom affects everyone, male or female. Click here to get involved today.
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| 8. |
How is sex education regulated in Washington State? |
Washington state mandates that HIV/AIDS education be taught two hours a year, all other sex education is determined by school district, with no requirements about medical accuracy, as yet. There is a requirement that the HIV/AIDS education be medically accurate, but there is no such requirement for other sexual education programs.
To learn more about sexuality education programs, click here.
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| 9. |
What are Crisis Pregnancy Centers? |
Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) may advertise as "clinics" and look like medical facilities, but they are usually staffed by anti-choice volunteer "counselors", not certified medical personnel. CPCs do not provide reproductive health care, rather they provide misleading and inaccurate information to women about reproductive health issues, such as birth control and abortion.
To learn more, click here.
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| 10. |
What is the difference between RU-486 and the morning-after pill? |
The morning-after pill, also known as emergency contraception (EC), is a strong dose of birth control that, if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex, is up to 89% effective in preventing pregnancy. RU-486, also known as mifepristone, or the "abortion-pill," terminates an early pregnancy, and can only be taken in the presence of a doctor.
For more information, click here.
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| 11. |
Does NARAL Pro-Choice Washington canvass door-to-door? |
Yes! In preparation for the 2008 elections NARAL Pro-Choice Washington has launched a field canvass program! Our team will be going door-to-door to talk with people about our work and expand our membership base. Canvassers will gladly accept your membership renewal contribution or any other contribution you may like to make at the door. They also have a great opportunity for you to take action and help ensure more women can access Plan B ® when and where they need it.
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