Photo credit: Neshan H. Naltchayan
“Hello Pro-Choice Men. Hello women who love you guys. First of all I never dreamed that I would get to speak from a purple and white DJ stand at the first Annual Men for Choice Event. Second of all, we have the goal to shower some love among the men that fight with us silently, mostly every day and to have fun,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL.
“I do want to quickly thank Michael Kosmides who owns this fabulous establishment – LOOK Supper Club – painted it purple and white for our first event. This is the first event they’ve done here and to stand up for choice with their first public event shouldn’t be a courageous act, but it actually is a courageous act in this day and age. Thank you Michael. I hope you guys come back and eat and drink here all the time. When you do that, you won’t be interrupted by speeches.
Ilyse Hogue and Michael Kosmides – Photo by Janet Donovan
“This is about reproductive freedom. These are not women’s issues. These are family issues. These are society issues and these are fundamental issues of freedom and autonomy. There is nothing more American in my mind. There is nothing more patriotic than the ability to have control over your own destiny and that’s why we fight for it every day at NARAL.
Soroush Shehabi, Nancy Bagley and David Mercer- Photo by Janet Donovan
“If you guys have any doubt that you’re showing up today matters, go home and look at our Men for Choice twitter feed. It has been going bonkers every day, it’s definitely around the crazies. If you want to see crazy, you’ve got to check your Twitter feed. There are women all across this country saying, “This made their day.”
Maria Teresa Kumar, MSNBC’s Karen Finney and Sarah Ingersoll
“To see so many men tweeting about why we care about reproductive freedom – about why they care about women’s health – made our day because you know what, sometimes it’s lonely. We don’t want to do this without you guys. We won’t win without you guys. You guys are our families, you’re our brothers, you’re our fathers, you’re our husbands, you’re our partners. We love you, we need you. We need you to stand up and be counted.”
Media Matters founder David Brock and Kate Damon
“That is what America is about and make no mistake when we stand up and be counted and hold hands as men and women together, this is a win issue and I’m thrilled to be here with you guys.”
Thank you so much. Stick around, drink, have fun. Hug a man for choice before you leave. Thank you guys so much.”
