Pro-Choice Costume Party and Trivia Wrap Up

It was a clever crowd that attended the Minnesota Choice Coalition's Pro-Choice Costume Party and Trivia Night at the Kitty Cat Klub in Minneapolis. NARAL, Pro-Choice Minnesota brought out the largest group of folks--many of them college women who have had various roles in the choice movement. Specifically, most of them were interns who coordinated escorts for a local abortion clinic. Dan Buck, NARAL's Grassroots Organizer (who dressed up as Captain Condom), was instrumental in getting these gals to attend.

There were prizes for best costume and most correct answers to the Reproductive Freedom Quiz created by Sally Hassell of Planned Parenthood MN, ND, SD. Sadly, no one remembered to bring a camera so we could document the great costumes for posterity. I dressed up as Permanent Birth Control and won first prize! Second prize went to Pregnant-with-a-Promise-Ring Teen. Pro-Choice Resources donated "runner up" prizes of Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop gift cards and cool tshirts--these were our third and fourth prizes which were won by gentleman dressed as a World War II Soldier and the Ketchup-and-Mustard duo. Ella, and Kate (third-year law student at William Mitchell College of Law) won first and second prizes, respectively, of the trivia contest.

Karen Law and Linnea House, also of the Minnesota Choice Coalition were there to help orchestrate the fun event.


Special thanks to Pat Sandin from Midwest Health Center for Women for her generous donation of two $50 Target gift cards for our 1st place winners!


You missed a good time, but there will be other Minnesota Choice Coalition events. Mark your calendars now for Thursday evening, January 21 for the Annual Roe v. Wade Celebration!


Gina Schedivy

Minnesota NOW

Pro-Choice Costume Party and Trivia Night!

You’ve heard of wearing your politics on your sleeve, but what about wearing your pro-choice politics on your entire body? Well, get excited because now you can do just that at the Minnesota Choice Coalition’s Pro-Choice Costume Party and Trivia Night at the Kitty Cat Klub on Thursday October 29th!

Now you’re probably thinking, “Whoa, that sounds really fun— but what should I wear?” Get creative! Get 27 of your friends together and come as a pack of birth control pills! Or grab a hula-hoop and a cape and come as everyone’s favorite super-hero, THE RING! Or maybe you’re more interested in sex education—come as something really scary: abstinence-only Annie! Costumes are encouraged, but certainly not required—what’s more important is that you are there!

Here are the details:

Where: Kitty Cat Klub; 315 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis; http://www.kittycatklub.net/index.html

When: Thursday, October 29th; 6-8pm

Who: Any pro-choicers aged 21 and up

Why: Because the idea of losing our right to choose is terrifying!!! And because costumes are fun!

Cost: FREE! Happy hour drink specials from 6-7pm


Prizes will be awarded for best costume and highest trivia score. This is going to be a one-of-a-kind gathering, to be sure—hope to see you there!

Candlelight Vigil for Dr. George Tiller

On Sunday, May 31st, Dr. George Tiller was murdered as he entered his church in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Tiller provided abortion services in the state of Kansas and was a frequent target of harassment and intimidation. The pro-choice community is reeling from this act of violence against one of our greatest advocates, and many pro-choice supporters have contacted us asking what they can do.

Rather than letting this unspeakable act divide us, let's work together with civility and respect. Let us offer our encouragement and support to those that continue to make women's health care a priority.

Please join the Minnesota Choice Coalition in a candlelight vigil for Dr. Tiller this Tuesday, June 2nd from 9-9:30pm in the South West corner of Loring Park in Minneapolis (near Hennepin and 15th).

There will be no speaking program, no bullhorns, no chanting and no political rhetoric. We just want to gather to silently reflect on one man’s life and contribution to the pro-choice movement, and to mourn among other pro-choice supporters.

Please bring your own candle, and meet us in Loring Park tomorrow night from 9-9:30pm. This event is open to the public.


If possible, please RSVP so that we have an idea of how many people to expect. You can email us at mnchoicecoalition@gmail.com or RSVP via Facebook.


Thank you for all you do for the pro-choice movement; we hope to see you tomorrow night in Loring Park.

Online Vigil: He put his life on the line every day for each of us

Twenty-eight years ago I had an abortion in Dr. Tiller's clinic and had to walk the gauntlet of right-to-life fanatics to get in. I have never regretted the decision nor the procedure and was so grateful for that clinic and for the legal right to walk into it.
I have followed the travails of Dr. Tiller and the clinic over the years and was so deeply saddened by this horrible, horrible crime and the loss of a man who truly cared about women's reproductive health and their right to choose. He put his life on the line every day for each of us.

Online Vigil: ...in my thoughts and prayers

He, his family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.

I stand up for a women's right to choose. -Linda

Online Vigil: I am proud to have known him

Words cannot convey how deeply saddened I am by this tremendous loss. George was a kind, gentle soft spoken man who had the utmost respect for women and families. I am proud to have known him. My sympathy goes out to George’s loved ones. He will be missed. - Suzanne

Online Vigil:...I want so badly for every woman to have that CHOICE

I am a long time pro choice supporter and I am very upset by the heinous act against a man who did so much for so many women! I am so happy that I had the choice not to bear children & I want so badly for every woman to have that CHOICE!! My sincere sympathy to the Tiller family & all the people who worked alongside the Doctor. - Cheryl