NARAL Volunteer Chronicles: PrideFest:

I just got back from PrideFest NYC where I volunteered with NARAL. During the fair, I stood outside the booth with a pen, clipboard, and postcards for New York senators to support the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act (RHAPP). Many postcards were filled out by awesome pride-goers. I met many interesting and enthusiastic people who were very happy to sign. One woman is even in the process of making a documentary that exposes crisis pregnancy centers! However, one person I approached elicited a very upsetting response:

ME: Hi! Would you like to sign a petition that supports women’s reproductive rights in New York State?

RANDOM MAN: Can you explain?

ME: Sure. This is a petition for the support of the Reproductive Health and Privacy Protection Act. It ensures that no matter what happens nationally, Roe v. Wade will still be effective in New York.

RANDOM MAN: Sorry. I don’t believe in killing babies. 

Sadly, this response was so much more frustrating to me than all the people who walked past me and refused to sign. This man asked for information and I gave it to him. He ignored it. This ignorance led to him being misinformed and confused. Though I am so happy to have witnessed so much reproductive rights enthusiasm and pride, this encounter made me sad and angry…angry that there still are people out there who are so misinformed and unable to help bring justice to such a fragile and important issue.