So I know I've gotten terribly behind in my posts, things have just been really crazy. The city is constantly moving, and I spend a good portion of my day on my other blog trying to explain that pro-choice is about options, not oppression. It's exhausting, but I've found that once the vital nature of reproductive rights becomes clear to you it's impossible (for me, at least) to stop trying.
Things are pretty quiet around the office, we're mostly preparing for the youth to arrive on July 1st. I've heard they are a great group, if not a little quiet, and I'm really looking forward to getting to know them and hearing their stories. Although I've only been there a short time, it was immediately apparent that the NARAL employees are completely devoted to making the office a safe space for these youth, a place where they can come and talk or do homework or just hang out. They are invested in their futures and go out of their way to help them in any and every way possible. It's really amazing.
It occurred to me the other day that I managed to make the post for my mother just in time for father's day. I came across this article from Everysaturdaymorning, a blog published by clinic escorts from Louisville, KY -
"Every Saturday Morning wonderful, brave, compassionate volunteers come out before the sun comes up to provide emotional and tactical support for people accessing Reproductive and Sexual medical care. We are a diverse group of people who all work together to make sure this resource is available to our community. We are a decentralized group of autonomous individuals who come together to empower ourselves and others. This is the most effective and non-hierarchical work I have ever participated in and am constantly amazed at the intensity of it all. There are lots of days that I hate that this is even necessary, but it is. And we will keep going because Reproductive and Sexual Justice is essential to a healthy, empowered world. It's simultaneously fascinating, horrifying and uplifting to read first-hand accounts of escort experiences, and the posts are always thought provoking.
The specific article I mentioned above, however, "Father’s Day: Dan’s thoughts" brought me to tears. He describes his rage at the male protesters outside the clinic, "those disapproving men–fathers, grandfathers, and uncles–disapproving of women who could be their daughters, granddaughters, nieces, or even their wives. Disapproving men, withholding their love and attention, ignoring the needs of their young charges who look to them for guidance, look to them for the unconditional love and acceptance expected of a father, look to them for comfort at their times of greatest need. Disapproving men willing to abandon their daughters during their moment of deepest emotional distress, embarrassment, and fear, and leave them to walk through this gauntlet of hatred with a complete stranger, a man who will be in her life for only a few minutes, but is willing and able to be her surrogate father." (emphasis mine).
Naturally, this post made me think about my own father and the unwavering support he has always shown. As I mentioned in my "Dear Mom" post, the women in his family have a history of staunch pro-choice activism but he never pushed me in one direction or another. He allowed me to find this path all on my own, and sure enough, here I am. My heart goes out to the poor, terrified girl the poster describes and makes me want to hug my own father so badly. He has never let me down, not once, and I know he never will. I know that through every challenge and obstacle I will face, he will be there to love and support me every step of the way. I know he will never judge me or abandon me, and for that I am so, so grateful. I know how lucky I am to have a man like my father in my life at all, let alone as my #1 fan. Happy [belated] father's day, Daddy. Your passionate, pro-choice, pro-family, pro-equality Jewish feminist daughter loves you more than words can possibly hope to describe.
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