My first interaction with college activism was with a room full of stranger playing sex trivia at a Planned Parenthood Generation Action club meeting. Not at all what I was expecting, but the moment was liberating. I sat with four people I had never spoken to before and as a team we answered questions on all things sex, STD’s, and safe practices. I felt completely at ease discussing sexuality and intimacy with people I had never before met, unburdened by stigma or fear of judgement, and I was amazed at the club’s ability to foster an accepting and comfortable environment within which others could express themselves. Throughout the meeting the club president and other officers created a judgement-free safe space to allow for education and discussion while incorporating fun activities. From the very first meeting I was hooked, and thoroughly interested in learning more.
    At Florida State University there are many advocacy groups hoping to educate and create a better future, and one such activist group is the Generation Action Club, under Planned Parenthood. Generation Action is a “coalition of young student leaders who fight for reproductive justice on their campuses,” as Rosie Richeson, the North Florida Regional Organizer for Planned Parenthood tells me (Richeson). I was afforded the opportunity to ask Rosie some questions after a Generation Action event, to gain more insight on how Planned Parenthood functions on Florida State University’s campus.  Rosie’s job as North Florida Regional Organizer is to find volunteers to work for Planned Parenthood’s cause and do advocacy work in Tallahassee and Gainesville, as well as being the affiliate advisor for the Generation Action clubs on both Florida State University and Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University campuses (Richeson). She first explained to me Planned Parenthood’s cause, which is “first and foremost a non-profit health center. [They] exist to give communities comprehensive, non-judgmental, unbiased, and medically accurate information when it comes to their health care needs,” (Richeson). She also made sure to clarify some misconceptions about who Planned Parenthood caters to, saying “[they] believe that anyone and everyone should have access to safe and legal medical care regardless of class, race, gender, or sexual orientation,” (Richeson). In fact, Planned Parenthood provides “comprehensive, quality health care to 2.5 million women and men in the United States each year,“ and in the 2015-2016 annual report by Planned Parenthood, they had “615,499 pap tests & breast exams performed, 2,808,815 birth control information and services provided, and 4,266,689 tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections provided“ (Lawrence and Ness; Planned Parenthood).  Rosie also explained to me that reproductive freedoms are defined to Planned Parenthood as “the right to have children, not have children, and to parent the children we have in safe and healthy environments,”  and further explained that “Reproductive Justice will be achieved when all people have the social, political and economic power and resources to make healthy decisions about their gender, bodies, sexuality and families for themselves and their communities,“ (Richeson).
    She told me how the members of Generation Action work for these freedoms by leading workshops, rallies, marches, and keeping up with legislative so they can take action when needed, whether by sitting in on a meeting or talking straight to the legislators themselves (Richeson). They also work with the community volunteer organization under Planned Parenthood, the Leadership Action Team or LAT, collaborating on community events and campaigns. Just this year, Generation Action helped the community club and its affiliate Planned Parenthood here in Tallahassee with their Women’s March on January 21st, which Rosie considers to be the most impactful event Planned Parenthood has had in recent years (Richeson). The event garnered 15,000 people and fostered conversation about current issues and intersectionality, and this is only one of the few events they have sponsored just within the last year. (Richeson)
    Several texts exist within the Generation Action club that help the group strive for the reproductive justice they desire. One such text is the Planned Parenthood supporter card that they ask people to fill out when tabling at campus or local events. These supporter cards are general information including name, zip code and email to keep a record of supporters within the area. These cards are entered into a database that “can track lots of different demographics and create a volunteer profile“ (Richeson). They allow Planned Parenthood to “keep track of who has been to our events, how many actions a person has taken in support of planned parenthood, and who has taken lead at events. This helps us work with our volunteer advocates in a productive and accurate manner” (Richeson). Rosie also mentions how they help when it comes to addressing issues in the government as the cards provide data that Planned Parenthood employees and volunteers  can use as they “are able to show these numbers to legislators in certain areas to prove to them how many people in their area support Planned parenthood“ (Richeson). Through tabling events for Planned Parenthood I saw that many were happy to fill out the information, though some others were reluctant, until they explained the card’s uses, or they were told of the bare minimum requirements they could fulfill. Most seemed more willing after being told that the numbers were really just used to show that Planned Parenthood did have supporters, seeming to prefer the anonymity of being a number and not directly involved, which interested me. These cards overall allow for easy data collection on volunteers, and allow for a communication network, informing volunteers through the email provided of upcoming events and when support is needed, but also show that there are a number of people that back Planned Parenthood so the organization is not just looked over.
    Planned Parenthood Generation Action also has “zines,” which are informational materials about different topics Planned Parenthood advocates for or wants to educate others on. These zines are constructed entirely by volunteers, from the initial idea to the layout and design, after being approved by communications staff (Richeson). These pamphlets are a proud accomplishment of the volunteers, and they are proudly presented at each tabling event and community event.
    In fact, I initially encountered Planned Parenthood’s “zines” at the involvement fair at FSU, where Generation Action was tabling. Their table was already attention grabbing, with Planned Parenthood’s signature bright pink color everywhere on the table- from the tablecloth to the promotional pins and glasses- yet it still wasn’t hard for the zines to catch attention. One zine was titled “Sex is Cool and So Are You,” with a glasses-wearing butt gracing the cover and yet another with a large cartoon alligator across the front. The zines were a conversation starter, I observed, as many people came up to the table at first looking only at the free merchandise displayed on the table, but then quickly becoming distracted by the quirky informational texts. They worked as an easy ice-breaker, as people became interested in the inspiration behind the zines and they quickly moved on from the initial awkwardness of their approach to the table.   
    The zines first and foremost work as informational materials, but their function within the club itself has a more symbolic meaning. They function as a way for the volunteers to connect and work together, and each has a “zine premiere party that has a lot of planning- from finding a venue, creating and distributing a flyer, promoting the event on social media, volunteering at the actual event, and helping with data entry afterwords“ allowing the volunteers to promote their zine to the community and continue to spread awareness of issues they chose to examine in their zine (Richeson). The zines are symbolic of the group’s efforts and dedication to the fight for reproductive freedoms, shown in the care and planning each one gets. Currently there are three zines, one educating about Crisis Pregnancy Centers, one about embracing sexuality, and another on consent.
    Of the three zines, the zine about Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) is the most recent one made by the clubs. It is a spoof of “Highlights” children's magazine, titled, “Highlighting Crisis Pregnancy Centers in the Sunshine State.” With interactive portions like a word search and a spot the difference game with a twist, it presents information while engaging the reader. Along with the interactive portions are pages educating on the Crisis Pregnancy Centers and dispelling myths about Planned Parenthood, as well as listing sites that may be helpful and including a citation section for all references made throughout the zine. The zine’s importance stems from its discussion of a critical topic in Planned Parenthood’s messages; the right to all options legally available for those with an unintended pregnancy. It presents information in a visually pleasing and interesting way, not coming across as intense or argumentative but rather informative and helpful, with fun activities and illustrations to help get their points across.
    The zine’s main focus is presenting facts that dispel myths about both Planned Parenthood and Crisis Pregnancy Centers. The zine works to educate women about their options and the ways in which Crisis Pregnancy Centers can deceive those looking for help by spreading non factually based information and coercing them into a choice that may not be best for them, as “CPCs use deceptive tactics and distribute misleading and oftentimes false medical information to attract pregnant women into their offices, and then attempt to counsel them out of having abortions,“  (Campbell).  These centers attempt to shame and scare women into making choices that may not be what they really want, and often advertise themselves falsely as “CPCs often lure vulnerable pregnant women to their facilities by advertising online or in phone books under the search tags for “‘abortion,’ ‘abortion alternatives,’ ‘abortion services,’ ‘family-planning information centers,’ or ‘women’s organizations’” to give the appearance that they provide abortions or abortion-related education,” (Campbell). On top of this, the Crisis Pregnancy Centers are not always as they may seem, as “[a]lthough their advertisements suggest otherwise, they do not actually provide abortion services, and most are not licensed medical facilities,” (Campbell). Not only do they spread false information, some deceive those seeking help completely, as they do not offer the services that they claim, or may not be legally qualified to even offer those services. Planned Parenthood aims to educate people on these centers as they “specifically target low-income communities, minority populations, and places with young, vulnerable women, like high schools and colleges,” (Campbell). These aforementioned groups are the most susceptible to CPCs’ deceit, as they are the least likely to have full knowledge of reproductive health and rights, with their age and/or their lack of access, as Campbell explains, “CPCs believe their efforts are best suited for these demographics because they have higher rates of pregnancy and abortion, and thus, are more susceptible to CPC practices,” (Campbell). Equally as frightening, “CPCs outnumber legitimate abortion clinics three-to-one, and most receive state and federal funding,” so women have a higher chance of accidentally finding their way to one of these centers than a legitimate clinic. I was surprised, just as many others I saw at tabling events, to learn of the realities behind CPC’s, as they not only spread false information, but they target susceptible women they believe they can deceive. Planned Parenthood’s zine is a hope for education so that women will not fall victim to these ill intentioned centers.
    Another zine that Planned Parenthood Generation Action promotes is one entitled “Sex is Cool and So Are You.” This zine promotes sexual awareness and acceptance, while being safe and doing what is best for one’s self. The zine talks about different sexualities as well as how to embrace your own sexuality without feeling ashamed or judgmental towards others and their choices. The zine is essentially a way to promote safe, consensual sex and taking away the stigma of embracing sexuality, so that people may become more understanding and less likely to “slut shame.” It is a great tool for those who feel uncomfortable talking to others about their sexuality and a great way to educate people on embracing sexuality. The zine is not a spoof like the one on Crisis Pregnancy Centers, but it does include fun illustrations and interesting content that features non-judgmental language.
Overall the zines are a great way for the club to promote their ideals within an interesting text that is easily distributed and conveys their message clearly. While the Crisis Pregnancy Centers zine is a very informational material, the group made the zine so that it communicates its message clearly and in a way that is interesting. Although it deals with more hard hitting information than the other two zines, in the aspect of it addressing an organization’s deceit, it educates in a supportive and positive way, not using combative language, but rather illuminating inaccuracies. The other two zines are both positive and supportive as well, but less controversial as they are basic sexual education topics that aim to create less stigma and judgment around sexual and reproductive health. They also did not require the same amount of research that the CPC zine required, as the claims had to be backed by evidence because it was not as simple as general knowledge topics. The CPC zine is also the most in depth and detailed zine in terms of content and design, showing how the group has progressed in their talents of creating the zines.
Throughout tabling I participated in, I noticed how much more likely people were to pick up one of the consent or embracing sexuality zines than the Crisis Pregnancy Center zine. Though the design of the CPC zine initially gained the most attention, when people read the title, they lost interest or became uncomfortable it seemed, and glanced over it to where the other two zines lay. Most people will pick up “Sex is Cool and So Are You” without a thought, as the front is cheerful and humorous with a positive title and an illustration of a butt wearing, of all things, sunglasses. The consent zine is second to be looked over, but the CPC zine is only picked up by the seemingly most interested in the club’s efforts, as I observed. Those who picked up the CPC zine often were the most talkative and engaged with those tabling, and often the most informed about reproductive freedoms. This observance I met with a heavy heart, as those who may need the information most may look over the zine, whereas Planned Parenthood hopes for the opposite, as seen by the zine’s heavy promotion and its placement at the front of the informational materials at a tabling event. Planned Parenthood’s history with being regarded as “controversial” is seen to come into play with situations like addressing issues with the slightest relation to abortion, and the CPC zine is no exception. However, with even the one person that picks up the zine at an event, the message circulates no matter how slowly, and Planned Parenthood comes another step closer to the education they hope to spread.
    Planned Parenthood has long had a history of advocacy as they have been met with opposition over their “controversial” view to give women choices regarding their bodies and the “advocacy work [they] do is crucial in the broader fight for reproductive freedom. Without [their] volunteer and staff advocates, the fight would be much slower and harder than it has been,” (Richeson). Generation Action here at Florida State University gives students a platform to advocate for their rights to reproductive freedoms, and their rights to a judgement free health care center that gives them all the options available to them. The group advocates through the use of promotional materials and texts, like the zines, that allow for factual information to be distributed. Throughout my interaction with the Planned Parenthood Generation Action club, I’ve seen firsthand the pride and value the members put into their zines. From production to finish, the zines are a collaborative effort of all members and they embody the ideal of working together towards a goal, for which Planned Parenthood strives. The zines explore issues integral to reproductive health and freedoms, aiming to engage and educate those who read them.