This project was funded and created in 2012.

Reproductive Rights and gender justice are in a state of emergency right now.  This past year we witnessed the near defunding of Planned Parenthood in Congress and from Komen, one of their largest private funders.  In 2011 alone, a historic 80 new laws were passed which further prevent people from accessing abortions.  Also this past year, over 200 transgendered people were murdered.  And currently more than half the states in the US have passed amendments that prevent the recognition of same sex marriages.

In response to all the bullying, the legislative measures, and the horrifying statements filling the media, I feel that we need a collection of voices commenting on this situation through visual art.  This project will bring together over a dozen voices from people most affected by these issues- women, queer identified, and transgendered artists.

Over a dozen artists have already confirmed to create a print for this project and an artist will be printing the covers.  Artists who have confirmed are: several members of Justseeds Cooperative  including: Melanie Cervantes, Thea Gahr, Bec Young, Favianna Rodriguez, Mary Tremonte, Molly Fair, and myself (Meredith Stern).  Also participating are: Ian Cozzens of Secret Door Projects, Kristina Brown, Delia Kovac, Emmy Bright, Lois Harada, and Katrina Avocado.  Each artist will be creating their own image, and hand printing them themselves.

There will also be a written portion of this project.  Several of the artists participating will be collecting stories from our mentors and elders talking about their own experiences about reproductive rights and gender justice.

Once the portfolios are completed, over a dozen of the portfolios will be donated to organizations working on these issues. These organizations will be able to utilize these portfolios in several ways.  They can reproduce the images for use in their campaigns, display them at their events or in their office, use the images on their website, newsletters or other written materials, or to sell the posters as a fundraiser for their organization.

I have already connected with a couple exciting organizations who will be receiving a copy of the Portfolio. Gender Justice is a new nonprofit organization based in the Upper Midwest, which seeks to eliminate gender inequality through litigation, public policy advocacy, and education and training programs.  Another organization is New Voices Pittsburgh. They are a grassroots Human Rights organization for, led by and about women of color. Their organization works to engage women of color in community organizing for lasting social change. We will also be giving a portfolio to Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania. The mission of Planned Parenthood of Western PA (PPWP) is to provide comprehensive and complementary health care to those in need of services; disseminate information about human sexuality and the need for family planning and responsible parenthood; and advocate public policies which guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services.

I am seeking funding for this project in order to pay for the cost of creating these portfolios. $2000 will pay for the printing of the covers, the written materials, and the postage to ship the portfolios to the organizations.  All funds above that will be split between the artists and the organizations.  There will be 125 portfolios created.  This is your opportunity to get a limited edition, one of a kind print collection from over a dozen amazing artists while helping to fund reproductive and gender justice issues.