Choice is a verb, and action, something that someone does: to choose. Choice is also a noun, something you can have, or not have.
In the United States, we are told that we have a choice when it regards our bodies.

However, many of us find that when it comes to knowing about our physical bodies, our choices are limited. Ideas about medicine, body knowledge, and reproduction in Western medicine bear the long history of Western patriarchy and misogyny.

These institutions have dominated ideas about health (and sexuality as an offshoot of reproduction).

Of course, as a result, the prescribed choices regarding reproduction and sexuality are founded in sexist, Western patriarchal norms.
Comprehensive sexual education implies that all people, regardless of gender, social class, race, sexual orientation, or ability be given an equal voice and equal choice over their own body.

It acknowledges the differences and similarities between male and female bodies, as well as teaching a model which allows those bodies to come together in a safe and healthy environment.

It espouses safer sex practices as a means of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

In order to enact this vision of healthy sexuality, a deeper examination of the forces and institutions shaping the traditional norms must be identified.

These are the goals of Advocates for Choice.

We aim to educate people about their rights to comprehensive sexual education, not just abortion (as was written in yesterday’s article in the Northern Star).

We also aim to protect the student body by giving them power over their bodies that can only come from accurate knowledge, because we are tired of seeing our friends and colleagues forced into making choices they never wanted to make.

We are not motivated politically, though many of the barriers between students and sexual education are politically, as well as religiously, constructed.

Our goal is to provide accurate information to students, female and male, about their choices concerning their own sexuality as a means of promoting sexual responsibility amongst adults.

Sincerely,




Emily Dow
Junior, Advocates for Choice Public Relations Director

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