I have been so excited about the Virginia “Trust Women, Respect Choice” pro-choice license plates. As soon as I heard about them, I was on board. I felt it was an excellent way to donate money to an organization that provides a variety of services to many different people. Planned Parenthood has been there for me when I was a student without health insurance and also when I was a graduate out in the world without health insurance… so I felt it was a great way to show my support!
A few days ago, I heard that HB1108, the license plate bill, was on its 2nd reading in the House. During the debate, anti-choice Delegate Todd Gilbert (R-15) amended the bill to RE-ROUTE the funds from the sale of the plate to the Virginia Pregnant Women Support Fund – NOT Planned Parenthood. This unprecedented action will divert funds that I, along with over 385 other pro-choice Virginians, contributed to a pro-choice license plate to an organization that does NOT provide comprehensive reproductive health care.
Planned Parenthood has adhered to the rules set forth by the Virginia General Assembly and the Department of Motor Vehicles to have a special interest license plate and this outrageous amendment shows how biased certain members of the House of Delegates are. I ordered my plate because I knew the funds would go toward Planned Parenthood’s preventative health care services. I do not want my donations going to an organization that does not offer the wide range of health care services that Planned Parenthood does. I did not write my check to the Virginia Pregnant Women Support Fund!
We’ve got to voice our anger and show that we will not stand for this despicable amendment. A demonstration against this amendment is being planned for this Monday, February 22, 2010. More details to come!
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