Taina Montalvo-Teller (@misstvotes)

WHY I'M BOWLING

Without access, there is no "choice".

Abortions can be incredibly cost prohibitive.  Factor in time off from work, childcare costs, transportation (sometimes across states!)...it is not just the procedure, but all of the costs leading up to the procedure.  Abortion funds help with these costs.  Sometimes, all that is between a person and a much-needed termination is $15.  Go without three fancy coffees or two craft beers and you can help a person out.  There is not much worse that I can think of than being forced to go through with an unwanted pregnancy and carrying a fetus to term because you were missing $15 bucks.  

You say you are pro-choice?  Put your money where your mouth is and give someone the option!  Donate today!  If you can't afford to donate, please share this page with folks who might be able to.

The other pro-choice things I do and have done in the past:

• Clinic Escort:  I escort patients and their partners safely into a health center's doors, past countless anti-choice folks.  
• Co-chair Planned Parenthood of NYC's Action Fund Activist Council's Sex Ed Advocacy group:  We plan events that help educate folks on a variety of Sexuality Education topics.  We believe sex ed saves lives.  We also take reproductive justice very seriously and continue to plan inclusive and RJ themed events and trainings.
• Safer Sex Kit outreach:  I have taken to the streets in rain, snow and sweltering heat to hand out safer sex kits to New Yorkers.  They contain condoms, dental dams, internal condoms and info on where to get tested and how to stay safe.
• Lobbied in Albany for comprehensive sex ed and the Women's Equality Agenda.
• Marched on Washington with the March for Women's Lives.
• Bowled in two previous Bowl-a-thons.

I'm bowling because I believe that everyone should have access to the abortions they need. 

I am bowling because the phrase "safe and legal and rare" should be replaced with "safe, legal and accessible to all who need it."

I am bowling because people I have loved have underwent illegal procedures that could have killed them, using everything from household cleaners to hangers, all because the access to safe, legal procedures was not there.

Because of unfair and unnecessary laws, safe and legal abortions can be out of reach of those who don't have the money to pay for them.  So I'm doing something about it. I'm bowling to break down barriers to abortion access.

I'm lacing up my (rented) shoes and dusting off my (rented) bowling ball to raise money for my local abortion fund, the New York Abortion Access Fund (NYAAF).

You can help me hit my goal, and together, we can make an immediate difference with real impact.

Join me!