September 16, 2007

Upstate Group Partners with Clemson University

A group has formed in the Clemson Area (Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee counties) to establish a network of people interested in reproductive health and reproductive freedom. Calling itself “Upstate Friends of Reproductive Choices”, it is affiliated with Planned Parenthood. Activities planned for this year include a TellThem! Advocacy 101 Workshop (Tuesday, November 13 at 7 p.m. at the Clemson UU Fellowship) and a series of community forums.
Working with Clemson University’s Women’s Studies Program, the group will present three forums during the academic year. The series is called Sex in the 21st Century. The kick-off program will be held on Wednesday, October 24th in the Strom Thurmond Institute, Clemson University at 7 PM.
The October forum, “Reproductive Choice: Past, Present, and Future”, will delve into the history of reproductive choice and project future choices for today’s men and women. The second forum on January 29th, “Secrets & Myths: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sexuality and Reproduction,” will replace widely held myths and misconceptions with truths and accuracies. The series will conclude on April 2nd with “Finding Common Ground on Birth Control and Abortion: A Religious and Ethical Perspective.” In this program, the controversial issues of birth control and abortion will be discussed from theological, philosophical, and ethical perspectives with the goal of discovering aspects of these issues that unite us.
If you are interested in becoming involved with Upstate Friends of Reproductive Choices, call the current co-chair: Janie Shipley at 864-885-1967 or Ellie Taylor at 864-654-1331.