SisterSong Aims to Transform Culture of Shame, Help Communities of Color Help Themselves at National Conference in May |
ATLANTA, March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Our communities can no
longer afford for to be passive and silent at the expense of women of
color. Our refusal to talk frankly about reproductive health makes us
co-conspirators in our own health disparities," says Toni Bond Leonard,
President of SisterSong.
SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective is organizing
Let's Talk About Sex! -- a fun, four-day celebration of family choices,
sexuality, and wellness in communities of color, featuring Dr. Joycelyn
Elders. Held in Chicago, May 31-June 3, performances, music and film are
included. (Go to
http://www.sistersong.net/2007_NationalConference/2007NC_index.html.)
"We are tired of the shame in our communities that is promoted by moral
conservatives, including many religious people of color," says Loretta
Ross, SisterSong national coordinator and a long-time activist and
political commentator. "This oppression leads to unsafe and deceitful
behaviors that harm women of color."
The religious right's mixed messages of abstinence coupled with
restrictions on abortion and access to contraception only leads to one
outcome: more children by uninformed young people, resulting in increased
rates of birth and sexually transmitted diseases, says Ross. Chicago was
the site of an anti-birth control conference last year which received
national coverage.
"We already know what not to do. Who is telling us what to do?" a teen
helping to plan Let's Talk About Sex! asked organizers, summing up the
voices of her peers, says Ross. Parents, children, healthcare providers,
educators, policy-makers, and community members are invited. White allies
are encouraged to attend.
One goal of Let's Talk About Sex! is that younger and older women will
learn how to talk effectively to each other about sexuality. A workshop
track designed by young women and a mother-daughter scholarship are
offered. Let's Talk About Sex!, hosted by African American Women Evolving,
celebrates SisterSong's 10th anniversary. Sponsors include the Feminist
Majority Foundation, Girls' Best Friend Foundation, Guggenheim Foundation,
Ipas, Ms. Foundation, NARAL Pro-Choice America, and Ms. magazine. 1200
people are expected.
Sponsorships and exhibit hall booths are still available. Go to
http://www.sistersong.net/documents/Conference_media_kit.pdf
NOTE TO EDITORS: Ross and Leonard are available for interviews.
Coverage is invited.
About SisterSong
SisterSong strengthens and amplifies the collective voices of
Indigenous women and women of color so that they may secure human rights,
and thus achieve reproductive justice. For info, go to
http://www.sistersong.net/documents/media_kit.pdf.
SOURCE SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective
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CONTACT:
Corean Elam, +1-404-344-9629, or
Corean@SisterSong.net
