The San Diego Democratic Club 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, at its June 23 meeting.
“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 are an LGBT issue.”
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 23. The meeting begins at 7 p.m., following a 6:30 p.m. social with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, at Joyce Beers Community Center at 1220 Cleveland Ave., 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, vice president of public affairs and communications for Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest; Jenn Kish, vice-chairwoman of the San Diego Coalition for Reproductive Choice; and Matt Stephens, a partner in the Progressive Law Group and a lecturer at the University of California.
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.
