Tell Girls the Truth

February 3, 2005

Dear Editor,

Thank you to The Lookout for an excellent job of revealing the public funding for the anti-abortion group on Pico Boulevard. ("County Supervisor Vows to Cut Tax Funds for Santa Monica Clinic," February 2)

I have been very concerned about the location of this facility so close to Santa Monica High School. I find it particularly inappropriate for this organization to receive funding from First 5, which has declined to fund a preschool for very low income children in Santa Monica (The Children's Place), and I'm sure other very worthy child development programs. Where was First 5 when PICSI Center had to close?

First 5 is very careful that none of their funds are spent on a child who is older than 5, which has caused the adaptation of programs in order to receive First 5 funding. With all their requirements, I'm shocked that they funded a group that includes prayer as part of its meetings, (I have observed the prayer in progress) and which actively discourages young women from exercising their legal right to abortion. I know that my vote for Proposition 10's cigarette tax did not include a vote for faith-based anti-abortion propaganda!

Most of all, I object to the message given to girls who find themselves at this anti-abortion program: the lie that an abortion of an unintended pregnancy will cause them pain and grief throughout their lives.

Girls should be told the truth: that an abortion of an unintended pregnancy will open the door to a fulfilling life, an education, a career, and having children with a partner who is fully committed to building a family together. For positive stories about abortions, please visit www.imnotsorry.net, a website devoted to true stories of abortions written by girls and women themselves.

Abby Arnold
Santa Monica, CA