Pro-Choice Curves customers unite!
Get the facts; take positive action
I've been a happy customer of Curves since November 2003. When I first heard about Curves founder Gary Heavin's support of anti-abortion groups, I was distressed.
It started in the spring of 2004 with two inaccurate items from my local paper that got blogged quite a bit around the Internet. The paper issued a lengthy correction. Since then, coverage has gone nationwide and even international, with articles in Salon.com, on FOX News and the Today Show, in the New York Times Sunday Magazine, in the Sunday Times of Dublin, Ireland, and in many other places (see The Latest & Learn More for all links).
The facts (see Fast Facts) are far less extreme than the initial rumors. Nevertheless, many pro-choice Curves members face a dilemma.
What's a conscientious pro-choice woman to do?
Some have called for a boycott. I felt differently. My Curves workouts are my healthiest habit. I don't want to give them up. I also love the women who run my local Curves. I don't want to see their business hurt by this controversy.
So I took a small action and created this website. I hope it builds into many small actions to create something bigger.
Look at it this way: Curves has over three million customers. Let's say that the same percentage of them support a woman's right to choose as in the U.S. population as a whole: more than half according to most impartial polls. That would be more than a million Curves customers who are pro-choice!
So what could a million pro-choice Curves customers do in a positive way to counterbalance Gary Heavin's contributions?
Here's what I'm going to do -- I invite you to join me. Choose your favorite organization working to maintain a woman's right to choose. Some ideas are linked below. Give them a contribution -- whatever you can afford. Do it today.
Let's make it a goal: pro-choice Curves customers raise
$1 million a year for five years for pro-choice organizations.
And spread the word!
Planned Parenthood Federation of America Heavin opposes Planned Parenthood. He has made that clear in editorials written for his local paper. Opponents of abortion often target Planned Parenthood; many would like to see them "out of business". Donation page
To localize your donation to Waco, where Gary Heavin's contributions are centered, donate to Planned Parenthood of Waco. You can also join this agency's creative Pledge-a-Picket program, in which you pledge a small donation every time a protester shows up in front of PPCT. Learn more and pledge online! You might also consider donating to The Choice Project, Planned Parenthood's new center in Austin.
NARAL Pro-Choice America The political arm of the pro-choice movement. Donation page
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health One of the sponsors of the National March for Women's Lives held last April in Washington, DC Donation page
Black Women's Health Imperative Another sponsor of the national march. Donation page
National Organization for Women Another of the march organizers. You can donate specifically to NOW's abortion rights work. Donation page
The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Yes, you can be pro-faith, pro-family, AND pro-choice. This multifaith organization has both a lobbying arm and an education/outreach program, you can support either one. Donation page
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Why a breast cancer foundation here? It has lost Gary Heavin's financial support, simply because it gives community grants (for breast cancer treatment and diagnosis!) to Planned Parenthood. You can even choose to make the contribution an honorarium to Gary Heavin, if you like, just scroll down and click "Honorarium." Donation page
SIECUS The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States promotes comprehensive information about sexuality and advocates the rights of individuals to make responsible sexual choices. If you are upset about the Heavin's contributions to abstinence education, SIECUS would be a good cause to support. Donation page
Association of Reproductive Health Professionals Educates healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public and fosters research and advocacy to improve reproductive health. Donation page
National Abortion Federation The professional association of abortion providers -- the dedicated men and women who make reproductive choice a reality. Their mission is to keep abortion safe, legal, and accessible. Donation page
Abortion Conversation Project Committed to eliminating the stigma of abortion by creating new ways and opportunities to talk about abortion honestly and publicly. Donation page
Republican Majority for Choice Advocates for pro-choice legislation and candidates within the Republican Party. Donation page
I welcome suggestions for other organizations to be linked here. And if you would like to help get out the word about this site or help improve it, contact me
Spread the word, and happy curving!
TIP: Donate in the name of CurversforChoice or Gary Heavin. I've contacted the organizations named above for a better tracking method, but give this a try and let me know what happens. |
