A Battle of Free Speech and Women's Rights in Baltimore

The city of Baltimore enacts a new law which forces pro-life crisis pregnancy centers to put up signs saying they don't offer birth control or abortion services. Does the law threaten the freedom of speech of non-profits, or does it ensure that young, vulnerable women get truthful information about their pregnancies?

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• crisis pregnancy center
• reproductive health
• reproductive rights
• freedom of speech
• freedom of religion
• planned parenthood
• catholic church
• baltimore
• birth control
• abortion
• pro choice
• pro life
• center for pregnancy concerns

[XenFayed]

Why are they upset about having to say what they actually do? It's not like the government is shutting them down...that would be a breach of freedom of religion, though I think it's a fine line when you use inaccurate medical information to push you "religious" agenda.

[StuartTV]

@XenFayed Well, not EVERY pregnancy center gives out inaccurate information. But many of them do--even the title "crisis pregnancy center" itself is misleading. Many of them advertise in the "abortion services" section of the phonebook.

[ngirilover]

I believe that giving accurate information to any client is very important. A woman in crisis and pregnant need to reduce their anxiety so that they can make reasonable decisions. To lure persons to medical referral, is to bring fragile women into a system. Women, and especially young women need to know what they are going to hear before they go. This crisis ministry is misleading women and putting them in more jeopardy.

[RedDollShoes]

Whats wrong with up-front honesty? People should be made aware up front of what services are provided. After all, if these Crisis Pregnancy Centers are so against abortion and refuse to provide the service, they should be PROUD to proclaim that! Unless of course they intend to intentionally lie to customers. Thats the only reason theyd have a problem with this.

[4everSupportive]

Such important stuff

[MaDuke]

The Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns, has complied w/ the law,they even used bilingual signs. Their argument is that the "law targets and harasses pro-life pregnancy centers because abortion clinics are not required to list what services they do not provide."

[MaDuke]

@XenFayed The Greater Baltimore Center for Pregnancy Concerns, has complied w/ the law,they even used bilingual signs. so Again, Their argument is that the "law targets and harasses pro-life pregnancy centers because abortion clinics are not required to list what services they do not provide."

[MaDuke]

@XenFayed Again, can you give me an example(recent news article) of ppl harassing women going into abortion clinics? How do you know most of the harassers are Christian? You were there? Christian denominations are fighting all the time? Enlighten me of a recent fight denominations had w/ eachother face to face.

[XenFayed]

@MaDuke Yes I know that not all anti-choicers are Christian, but most are. And yes, I know there are multiple Christian denominations. They are fighting all the time. I don't live under a rock and I resent the implication.

[XenFayed]

@StuartTV I don't think they would have a problem with stating that they provide abortions...it's kinda obvious. They would also state other services they provide such as counseling, exams, testing, etc.

[MaDuke]

@XenFayed stating they don't provide abortion, prevents them from reaching the goal of preventing abortions, and this displeases them. Their argument is that the "law targets and harasses pro-life pregnancy centers because abortion clinics are not required to list what services they do not provide."

[MaDuke]

@XenFayed can you give me an example(recent news article) of ppl harassing women going into abortion clinics?

"especially from those who are commanded to love their neighbors as themselves" are you talking about Christians? so the "crazies" are Christians? Are you aware that there are anti abortion advocates that aren't Christian? Did you know that Christianity has many denominations?

[StuartTV]

@XenFayed In this case, I agree with the city government's language mandate, but suppose a conservative city government passed a similar law for abortion clinics? This law sets a dangerous precedent at the same time that it protects vulnerable women searching for accurate information.

[XenFayed]

@MaDuke We've gotten off track, but the point is these "crisis pregnancy centers" shouldn't be offended by having to state what they provide; if they are right because they are against abortion then why are they so upset about having to state that publicly? You stated yourself that one shouldn't be offended if one is right.