The "Meet Planned Parenthood Series" - Jeff Pier

Some people might see a position at Planned Parenthood highly unlikely for an ex-professional wrestler and two-time golden glove boxing champion, but that’s because they don’t know Jeff Pier, Rape Crisis Service Program Manager at Planned Parenthood of the Rochester/Syracuse Region.

Since 2010, Jeff has been working his hardest to make sure that Rape Crisis Service is the place people know they can go to. (So in the words of Notorious B.I.G., “if ya don’t know, now ya know.”)

With five counties in the program- Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston and Wyoming- Rape Crisis Service is the biggest sexual assault service program in the state. Whether he’s grant writing, working on re-branding or fundraising after-hours, Jeff Pier, father of a four-year old daughter and loving husband, works diligently to assure that the services that Rape Crisis provides are seamless.

I have to admit, the first time I heard that a man- not to mention one who still looks like he used to be a wrestler- was in charge of Rape Crisis Service at PPRSR, it was a bit shocking. That’s because of gender stereotyping. This happens in society every day when it comes to victims of sexual assault, and Jeff realizes that it’s a serious problem.

Always giving it to people straight, Jeff tells me “it’s not like a Lifetime movie,” a common misconception portrayed by the media. Sexual assault should never be taken lightly, but the process of coping with and/or coming forward about a sexual assault can be very difficult, sometimes even a “long, daunting process,” Jeff said.

That’s why trained counselors are available 24-hours a day, seven days a week to provide information and support. “My job is to make sure our clients are treated appropriately” he tells me, stating that Rape Crisis Service is here to make the system easier, not more complex. I know this must be true, because talking to Jeff himself was a very easy, natural experience. The other employees representing Rape Crisis Service are no different, making it ultimately a warm and welcoming place.

Still, it’s not just Jeff and the other employees at Rape Crisis Service that dedicate their lives to helping victims of sexual assault. Volunteers are always needed and are an integral part of how the program functions: without them, there would be no 24-hour crisis hotline. “The hardest thing to do is come forward,” Jeff tells me. “When women (or men) can tell their story, only then can we battle the violence against them.”

* If volunteering with Rape Crisis Service is something that interests you, please do not hesitate to visit www.pprsr.org for more information.

Elise
Marketing Intern

Period is Not a Dirty Word

I’m on my period this week. Is this what you would call a TMI moment? This week I am also on a mission to change the meaning of TMI. from “too much information” to “talking menstruation in-depth” (ensuing laughter). But seriously, talking about menstruation and vaginal health in general has become somewhat of a taboo topic within our society. With all of these new products coming out that claim to help women “be desecrate” about their period or make it so “no one will ever know,” I became interested in finding out why periods always need to be so hush-hush. 

Tampons should not be confused with candy. They are not glow sticks. They should not make your lady-flower actually smell like a field of fresh-cut roses. So why do all of the commercials out there insist that tampons and pads should look or smell like these things? Because it seems like that’s what women want. In a poll done by Kotex, 67% of women don’t want anyone to know that they are on their period. 84% of those women said they feel the need to hide their tampon or pad while on the way to a public restroom. If this many women feel the need to hide something that is not only overwhelmingly common, but just plain natural, there is something askew. 

Although the Kotex poll stated that well over half of women feel the need to hide their feminine products in public, 70% of women wish society would change the way it talks about vaginal health, menstruation in particular. Here’s the kicker: most feel like they can’t do anything about it. Contrary to popular belief, we can do something about it: be open to talking about it! The more we talk, the more comfortable society will become with the topic. Chatter is the way to reverse the shame and taboo bound to period-banter. 

Rachel Kauder Nalebuff would agree. At only 18 years old, Rachel Kauder Nalebuff took matters into her own hands by writing My Little Red Book, an anthology of first-period tales. Yes, this actually exists. The stories in her book are from women of all ages, from all around the world. Kauder Nalebuff even got big names like Meg Cabot and Gloria Steinem to tell their coming-of-age story. The proceeds from My Little Red Book have helped current and past health programs like the Planned Parenthood program Real Life. Real Talk., which taught parents how to have open and honest conversations with their kids about sex. We should be able to talk openly and honestly about having our periods too. 

I understand that as women we don’t need to announce the fact that we are on our period, or hold our tampons up like golden staffs leading the march to the restroom, but we should not feel ashamed or embarrassed anymore about having feminine products on our person. In high school, I used to shove a tampon in the waist of my jeans, cover it with my shirt and sprint to the bathroom in fear of being discovered. Now, I’m a hero to a friend if I’ve got an extra one in my bag. We can all be looked at as strong, hero-like females, but the first step is to be confident and unashamed of who we are, periods and all.

Elise

Marketing Intern

Why we should love our lady bits rather than cut them up

A new trend entering into the mainstream takes body image to a whole new level. Cosmetic Labiaplasty, known in medical offices as “labia reduction and beautification,” is a new surgical procedure that “fixes” asymmetrical or misshapen labials. Although there are risks- include bleeding, scaring, and infection- women across the world are continuing to sign up to snip skin off. What’s wrong with this picture?

The Labia Minora are the inner lips of the vulva. These two flaps of skin fold to protect the vagina, urethra and clitoris. The Labia Minora varies greatly in appearance between women; some look smaller and tucked in, while others are longer and protrude from the outer lips, or Labia Majora. Both are normal. In fact, no matter how your Labials look, they are normal. This is because no two labia look alike; they are each unique, just like how no two faces look exactly the same. So, although there may be a societal “standard of perfection,” I hate to break it to you ladies, but there is absolutely no such thing as the perfect vagina.

Believe it or not, I’m not the only one who is passionate about loving my genitals the way they are. A 2008 documentary titled The Perfect Vagina explores the phenomenon of women being so unhappy with the appearance of their lady bits that they turn to surgery. Throughout the journey, host Lisa Rodgers tells us why we should love our lady bits rather than cut them up. “It's consumer society's use of the perfect image to sell us everything” she says. “If your boobs are perky and big you'll be happy, if your hair is long and blonde you'll be cool, if your vulva is small and pink you'll be attractive." It's the ultimate sales pitch – complete [bull], but as a society, we've fallen for it.”

It’s not only women who feel passionate about the issue either. British artist Jamie McCartney dedicated five years to his piece titled “The Great Wall of Vagina.” The piece, which consists of 10 panels, holds casts of 400 women’s vaginas. There are casts of both old and young women, including vaginas of transgender and pierced women. McCartney hopes to show women through “The Great Wall of Vagina” that neither society, nor men should be the source of genital insecurities. “For many women, their genital appearance is a source of anxiety and I was in a unique position to do something about that” McCartney says.

Let’s not leave the entire challenge McCartney and Rodgers. These advocates have paved the way for all women to do something about it, but ultimately it is our job to encourage others to learn about why they should exude confidence no matter how their labials look. Vaginas have been worshiped and revered for millennia, and that isn’t going to change anytime soon. As women, we need to realize that the ones who should be worshiping our genitalia are ourselves. We only have one life to live, with one body to live it in. So relax, and believe in your vagina… you will enjoy yourself more.

For more encouragement and endearing vagina advocacy, visit: http://www.greatwallofvagina.co.uk/home
To watch the 58 minute documentary “The Perfect Vagina” for free online, visit:
http://documentaryheaven.com/the-perfect-vagina

Elise
Marketing Intern, PPRSR

*Editor's Note: This piece refers to cosmetic labiaplasty. Image via www.greatwallofvagina.co.uk/home.

Amendment One

When I opened my eyes Wednesday morning of last week, I was relived to be waking up a resident of New York State. Why, you ask? Tuesday night, North Carolina passed Amendment One, an amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Although North Carolina was a state which already held a law banning gay marriage, Amendment One securely slams the door on the issue, going one step further in including a ban on same-sex civil unions.

However, members of the LGBT community are not the only ones who should be saddened by this decision; the “marriage-plus” amendment could potentially affect straight couples in civil union. Jeremy Kennedy, campaign manager for Protect All NC Families, a campaign against Amendment One, is concerned about the future of health benefits for domestic partners, gay or straight. There is also the fear that Amendment One could disrupt protection orders for unmarried couples, making it difficult to file for domestic abuse cases if a person is living with their significant other.

Amendment One is clearly a discriminatory act, which not only threatens the relationship status of the LGBT community, but also the security of quality health care and human rights for all. I encourage all people in favor of equal marriage laws, as well as those in favor of basic human rights, to stand up for what you believe in. There are many who hold reservations as to how long the amendment will survive, and for good reason. We are the future of the United States, and only our generation, young and informed, can stand against inexcusable amendments like Amendment One if we let our voices be heard.

Today, I am not only proud to live in a state which allows marriage equality, but am proud to be involved with an organization like Planned Parenthood. I know that if Amendment One does affect access to health care benefits for those in the LGBT community, Planned Parenthood will be there to offer quality health care for those who need it. With the help of others, especially those of my own generation, I hope to someday be proud to wake up in a place where love is not restricted or defined.

Elise
Marketing Intern, PPRSR

Image via www.hrc.org.

STOP STUPAK - National Day of Action

Yesterday I had the good fortune to be able to attend the National Day of Action against the Stupak Amendment in Washington, DC.

When I got the first email about the event a few weeks ago, I lamented the fact the Wednesdays I have class straight from 9:30 until 3:35, and couldn't rationalize missing a Wednesday. But after receiving a few more emails, and reading up about Stupak, I couldn't rationalize NOT going down to DC. Skipping classes wasn't even a question once I thought about it. Exercising my right as a citizen, and participating in democracy is infinitely more important than one day of my classes. And what is college preparing me for, if not this? So we went. A group from my WGS 301 class with Minnie Bruce Pratt drove down with a bunch of other other students, totaling at 11!

After an eventful drive down at 4am -- I'll spare you the details, (OK I won't - we ran over a dead deer! It was so crazy! So we lost an hour off the drive waiting for AAA to come help us out. But the damage is very minor, don't worry) we made it into DC just in time for the noon rally. We were ushered to an overflow room since the main room was over capacity - and when we sat down, we noticed that our party was standing right behind the podium! Our friend Andrea was on screen the whole rally! She was directly behind so many famous and influential women, I couldn't believe it. We kept cursing that deer for making us late!

But the rally was incredible. So many women I admire so much! Cecile Richards was the emcee - it was weird seeing her right there - I'm so used to seeing her face as an icon at the bottom of all the emails I get from PPFA! Other memorable speakers were Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), who got the crowd really pumped, and Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), who showed us an old campaign poster, when her slogan was "Pro-Choice. Pro-Change." My own representative, Nita Lowey (D-NY!) gave a rousing call to action that made me proud to be from the great 18th district of the Empire State. She's very vocal and wonderful and I love her a lot (She also hooked me up with tickets to Obama's inauguration, back in January!).

Many other important people spoke, and one woman relayed another woman's extremely moving story. The woman was never hugely concerned with abortion rights, since she knew that if she got pregnant, she wouldn't consider getting an abortion. But when she got pregnant with twins, and they were diagnosed with a very dangerous fetal anomaly, she was thrust into the abortion debate. The odds were that both twins would die, unless they elected to abort one in the hopes that the other survived. If the Stupak Amendment passes, this procedure won't be covered by insurance. Luckily for her, 80% of it was covered, and it seemed that it went well - she just finished paying off the bills, 3 years later. She reminded us that these diseases don't choose wealthy people, and that if she wasn't fortunate enough to be covered by issuance and be able to pay for her share of the abortion, there is no way she would've been able to have it, and she would've buried both her twins, not just one. It was incredibly moving, and refocused my thoughts on abortion and why it's necessary that it be safe and legal.

Our room began clearing out for another meeting, and the main room was open, so we went down and saw the end of the rally in person, holding up our signs and waving the our party standing behind the podium. Then we met up with KaeLyn Rich, who I'd never met in person! She told us about a free youth lunch, and about our meeting at 3:15 with Senator Gillibrand.

The lunch was one of the highlights of the day for me. Everyone says that our generation is characterized by apathy and inaction, but this lunch proved that all very wrong. It was full of youth activists and feminists, all passionate and excited. The room was buzzing with excitement. And furthermore, a host of my idols were there. I had spotted Shelby Knox at the rally, and couldn't figure out where I knew her from - and then I realized she's awesome and famous and I've seen her movie! She was at the lunch, as well as Miriam and Jos - two editors from Feministing. Latoya Peterson was there too, from Racialicious and a host of other blogs and media. There were also representatives from a bunch of other organizations that cater to youth, who were willing to talk to us and make connections. It was really a power-lunch, and I met a lot of people I admire. A lot.

Then we walked back to the Senate building to see my senator - Kristen Gillibrand - I wasn't sure it going to actually be her, I heard a lot of people would be meeting with Aides - but sure enough, she walked right in. I sat in the front row, and it was really cool. I've never really seen a politician up close like that. I thought about how powerful she is and how much impact she has on my life, yet she's just a normal lady who is against the Stupak amendment like me. And thankfully, she made that crystal clear. She was unwavering is announcing her opposition to Stupak and her support of our cause. We asked her what we could be doing to help - she said to blog about it, and spread the word. So here I am.

Then Chuck Schumer walked in! I literally gasped when I saw him walk in, I'm not quite sure why. He has so much leverage in the Senate, and is so well-known, I just was so amazed that he was there. And he, too, was very firm and positive about Stupak. He loudly voiced his opposition to any healthcare bill that restricted abortion even further than current laws. He said that what we could do is call our Representatives and tell them that they should yield to the Senate wording (assuming that no Stupak-esque language makes it into the Senate version, which is not yet guaranteed…) of the bill. My friend Mary stood up and told him where our group was from, and thanked him for his work on these issues, and he said Go Orange! It was so exciting! Someone asked him what he would do if the Stupak amendment made it into the final version, after the discussions - would he vote for it? And he basically said No. He sad that he would try to get his colleagues to urge the bill to be sent back, and for that wording to be taken out, before voting yet for healthcare. That was very reassuring to me - I hope he sticks to his guns. I emailed him today urging him to be strong on that promise.

This post is getting long, let me wrap it up. All in all, it was a very cool day. Being in DC, walking around the house and senate office buildings, felt so good and right - this is what we should be doing: making our voices heard. Being surrounded by other pro-choice activists felt so right. It was such an amazing, empowering day. And I left feeling reassured by Schumer's comment - let's all urge our senators to put a stop to these restrictions. We can't let this language make it into the healthcare reform. Women's rights are human rights - it's as simple as that.

With liberty and healthcare for all,
Sammy

PS - read about some of the concerns I had about the day, and some of the tension we felt, over at Conscious Media, the blog for my "Race, Gender and Media" class!

Oh! And that's me on the left!

FEMINISM - The Other F Word

I know that title is cliche and overdone - everyone even remotely involved in feminist circles knows that feminism is a "dirty word" to those who don't self-identify. It conjures up images of radical, petty, bra-burning, hairy-legged lesbians ("what's so wrong about that?!" says the radical, hairy-legged women's studies major). I've been thinking a lot about THE WORD recently, because of my most recent endeavor, a feminist magazine startup here at Syracuse University, Medusa. (Check out our blog!)

We decided (or maybe we didn't decide, maybe it just happened organically) to overtly identify our magazine as feminist. We labeled it as a "feminist publication," and we made one of our goals to "demystify the word." We want women to recognize that their goals are in line with feminism and "convince" women that feminism isn't scary, and explain how the reasons we find it threatening are related the same forces that keep women oppressed in the first place. But even with all that talk, I get confused as to why the word is important. And I need to bear in mind that we don't want to indoctrinate people or try and "convert" them to feminism; that wouldn't solve anything either.

It gets confusing! And it's easy to get lost in the rhetoric, and to get caught up in the controversies. That's why it was refreshing to see this analysis of the word, among other topics. At a recent PPNYC event, three awesome feminists had a panel-type discussion that touched on these exact issues.

I especially like Jessica Valenti's takedown (I tend to think that everything Jessica Valenti touches turns to gold)

Valenti said she embraced the word [feminism], and that there was no point in picking another, less loaded term because "I think any word you use to talk about women's rights is going to become a dirty word."

It's kind of sad to think about, but I think it's true. It can't be a coincidence that the word that many of the strongest, most empowered and autonomous women I know identify as is also a bad word. It keeps people from embracing those ideals, and that framing is what keeps women apart, keeps women pitted against each other.

To paraphrase Valenti, any word you use to talk about a woman's control over her own body is going to become, for some people, a dirty word.

I am still working this out, and trying to balance out my own beliefs about feminism with running a feminist magazine. And figuring out how to explain to people why feminism is amazing, and not something to be feared. And while I work all this out, I'm going to keep identifying as feminist, and hopefully changing peoples misconceptions about what that means. (h/t Hannah Warren, my amazing Medusa co-founder and editor-in-chief; I'll keep everyone posted when the first issue drops next semester!)