Choice USA Launches “Bro-Choice” Week of Visibility
Program Will Draw Connections between Masculinity, Rape, and Reproductive JusticeFebruary 4, 2013
Kate Londen
klonden@choiceusa.org
(202) 965-7700 ext. 115
For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. — Choice USA has officially launched their newest campaign, titled Bro-Choice, which focuses on conversations about healthy masculinity within a reproductive justice framework. Bro-Choice aims to create a network of outspoken, actively-engaged men, disrupting the narrative that sexual health, reproductive rights and rape prevention are exclusively “women’s issues.” As part of National Sexual Assault Awareness month, Choice USA will be holding a week of visibility around rape culture and healthy masculinity on April 22-26, 2013.
The program includes a pledge that men can sign to become “part of the solution” to fighting rape culture and sexual assault. Students in campus chapters in five states will spend next week be engaging their peers in conversations and collecting Bro-Choice pledges on their campuses. The pledge can also be signed online here: http://bit.ly/BroChoicePledge
The week of visibility will also include a blog series on Choice USA’s blog, ChoiceWords, from students and advocates on the issues of rape and masculinity. On April 30, the campaign will be capped off with a webinar featuring prominent pro-choice men who will discuss their own engagement in the movement and ways student can be involved in their campus and community.
“The conversations we’ve seen recently surrounding rape culture are so important, but we’re not sure they are reaching the people that need to hear it the most.” said Kierra Johnson, Executive Director of Choice USA. “Bro-Choice is getting young men involved in speaking out against sexism and rape culture on their campuses. Men who haven’t necessarily stood up before are now becoming true stakeholders in the fight for justice for all people.”
The Bro-Choice campaign started a year ago as a series of webinars and panels for men to talk about getting involved in activism around reproductive justice issues. Now, the program has evolved to include conversations on sexual assault and healthy masculinity.
“It can feel difficult to stray from traditional ideas of masculinity when you are part of a college community,” says Cyrus Fernandez, Choice USA student activist. “Bro-choice gives us the opportunity, language and tools to have conversations around these ideas – giving a new point of entry for us to advocate on these issues and become part of the solution.”
BACKGROUND:
Choice USA envisions a world where all people have agency over their own bodies and relationships and the power, knowledge and tools to exercise that agency .Choice USA builds this vision by engaging young people in creating and leading the way to sexual and reproductive justice for all by providing training, field mobilization and national leadership for a youth-driven agenda.
