FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 30, 2000


NO SEX FOR LOYAL REPUBLICANS

July 30, 2000

Philadelphia, Pa. - "I was totally amazed that one of the reasons given for voting against contraception and family planning in the Republican platform today, " said Ann Stone, Chairman of Republicans For Choice, "was that they actually believe that the only acceptable contraception for family planning was NO SEX!"

"What century are we in, anyway?" she asked.

Today, the Republican platform committee voted by a 39-50 vote to keep specific language condemning family planning and counseling that had been added by the Subcommittee on Education in an earlier session.

"Most private insurance companies cover Viagra, but not contraception," pointed out Executive Director Stacy Kratt. "If they're going to give the men Viagra, they have to at least give us contraceptives so we can protect ourselves."

"Seriously," said Stone, "it is a sad day when the Republican Party takes a public stand attacking family planning. If they truly want to reduce the number of abortions in this country they should be the first ones to stand up for, not only family planning in general, but stand up for funding specific new research for even better contraception."