I have heard a few concerns expressed regarding the logo for ProChoice Kansas.  First, I want to thank you all for caring enough to ask and for giving me feedback.  I feel like now is a good time to explain my thought process and what I'm trying to accomplish here.

I was born post-Roe, however, I was raised to be conscious of history.      
The coat hanger has always signified two things:

                       Mommie Dearest and Illegal Abortion.

The feeding frenzy going on around the country surrounding Abortion Rights - is disturbing and scary.  Groups of well-funded fundamentalists are systematically dismantling the protections afford us under Roe. 
The latest tactic is the "heartbeat" bill.
Now, anti-choice zealots in Kansas are attempting to get a special session of the legislature convened to pass just such a bill.  But what does that mean for us?

In a piece by Kansas City Star reporter Matt Schofield - he explores the "Summer of Mercy" and how the protests effected him, our city and ultimately the state.  As the quote on the News! page points out - at least two political careers were launched out of the protests. 
I remember the "Summer of Mercy" vividly.  As an almost high-schooler - I remember being livid that these rabid protesters had invaded my state looking to undermine the rights of women. I had extended family members getting arrested at the protests. Driving through the city, if anywhere near one of the clinics, was almost impossible. They blocked traffic, they made asses of themselves and they cost the city and state countless dollars and man hours.  Yes, it was their right to protest - however, I don't know many that would call the siege carried out here "peaceful". 

The points raised by Ms. O'Danu are echoed in a recent article on RHRealityCheck.
Kansas has a poverty problem. Kansas has a jobs problem. Kansas has an infant mortality problem.
Nothing, NOTHING the legislature has done this session addresses any of these things and in many cases actually exacerbates them. 
How exactly does defunding Planned Parenthood help create jobs?  How does creating arbitrary abortion clinic regulations help with our infant mortality rates?
The most heinous part - is that while the state government is slashing and burning the arts, education and a host of other things, they can seem to find the funds to hire a high priced law firm to do the job of the State Attorney General.  By most estimates that I could find - Foulston Siefkin generally bills somewhere in the $200 per hour range...not exactly chump change.  I will be very interested to see how much this ends up costing the state.  Oh and by the way - I hope the Brownback administration gets their asses handed to them by a bunch of pro-bono attorneys for Planned Parenthood.

I recently submitted a petition to Rep. Pompeo regarding the Paycheck Fairness Act.  This was Congressman Pompeo's response to me:
"Dear Ms. [Redacted]  

Thank you for contacting me regarding your support for H.R. 1519, the Paycheck Fairness Act.  I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me.  In order to make sound decisions, it is important for me to hear from Kansans.
The Paycheck Fairness Act would alter discrimination laws in an attempt to procure equal pay for women. The bill would change current laws in three ways: 1) the bill allows for unlimited compensatory and punitive damages; 2) it allows for lawsuits even when the "discrimination" was unintentional; and 3) it makes it easier to bring class action lawsuits. 
As you may know, current law already prohibits sexual discrimination in employee compensation.  Therefore, I do not believe that this bill will achieve the desired goals, but will only encourage lawsuits.* Upon introduction, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. I will be sure to keep your support in mind if the bill moves through the legislative process.
Again, thank you for your thoughts.  If you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to call on me or Keith Dater of my Washington, D.C. staff.  It is an honor to serve the people of Kansas in the United States Congress. 

Sincerely,

Mike Pompeo
Member of Congress"
*Emphasis Added and Mine
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Thoughts?

I think it might be a good idea to have a brief overview of the situation regarding reproductive rights in Kansas.
1) We currently have 3 clinics - all in the Kansas City area.  2 of these clinics are in danger of being closed down, depending on how the courts rule regarding the new licensing requirements and/or how quickly their contractors can alter their buildings.
2) Wichita currently has no provider - because an Anti-Abortion Terrorist shot our doctor in the face.  Since, Dr. Tiller's assassination, other doctors have been harassed and threatened just by mentioning that they would like to bring abortion care back to Wichita.
3) Planned Parenthood funding has been stripped.  Title X family planning money is now being redirected to county health departments.  Planned Parenthood is suing.  It's a mess and the poor women of Kansas are caught in the middle.  (It's interesting to note - that most of the people I've talked to, said that when at the health department in the past - women were told to go to Planned Parenthood for birth control.)

As a woman that has always lived in Kansas - I am wondering when exactly my state changed.  While at least in my lifetime, it has always been Conservative, it was never completely and totally unhinged - unlike now.

The women of Kansas (and really the whole country) need to be active and informed.  We need to show our political power. 

In the mean while - I am trying to raise funds for Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri and Wichita NOW.  Lots of cool ProChoice gear to be had!  Please check it out!