This project has been a long time in the making, and I want to thank everyone who gave me their time and support throughout this! I couldn’t have done it without you.
I got the inspiration for this project after seeing these YDSA flyers strewn across the campus during my first semester; being somebody that knew people who worked in these clinics and heard about the good work they do, I could tell immediately something was up. After doing a little bit more digging (which involved me creating an alternative Instagram account to access the FGCU YDSA’s page considering they had blocked me), I came across the club’s “Socialist-Feminist Resource Guide”, which contained various resources for abortion clinics as well as damning claims regarding the legitimacy of Pregnancy Resource Centers. I usually have no issue with allowing those of differing political opinions to have their views, I believe the argument over such beliefs with the opposition is in most cases fruitless, especially considering the emotionally-charged nature of pro-choice vs pro-life. However, this organization was blatantly misrepresenting legitimate clinics that do great work within the community, and I could not stand idly by while members of the student body were potentially coerced into removing a valuable on-campus resource on the basis of their differing agenda and ideology.
In my investigation thus far, I have interviewed four individuals:
Nicole Shanks – Executive Director of PRC of SWFL – the newly-elected director of the organization who has previous experience as a maternity nurse, Nicole spoke with me about her PRC’s ideology in regards to pregnancy and how they go about interacting with women in distress in order to provide the best support possible and present the best outcome to them.
Scott Baier – CEO of Community Pregnancy Clinics – director of one of the largest and oldest CPCIs in the nation, Scott spoke with me about the various resources such clinics can provide to women (and men) even beyond pregnancy and addressed the allegations against his center’s on-campus mobile clinic.
Dr. Karysse Trandem – a seasoned obstetrician who has trained with the World Health Organization overseas [EDIT: Dr. Trandem actually performed research at the WHO Headquarters in Geneva, she did not train with the WHO] and received various awards for her work in the community, Dr. Trandem spoke to me about a study she undertook to analyze the various side effects caused by abortions that centers such as Planned Parenthood often fail to address.
Licensed RDMS – a sonographer that operates out of the mobile clinic that comes to campus also gave me some insight into what an appointment with a student usually looks like and what matters are realistically discussed and addressed during such appointments.
All involved were incredibly cordial when I first reached out and were happy to sit down with me and address these allegations head-on. I commend them for the work they continue to do in our community and beyond. I hope to keep this “investigation” open and continue to interview significant individuals.
If you want to look at the YDSA’s full claims, allegations, and resources, you can find them on this copy of their Socialist/Feminist Resource Page: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-le2B-4jTj3t7gYFcio1UPK2zk2tbtSxh40HCV9aDuo/edit?usp=sharing
If you have any questions or comments regarding my investigation or would like to speak with me regarding your experience at the mobile clinic, you can email me at themoderncounterculture@gmail.com; all shared information will be kept purely confidential if so requested. You can also email me if you are interested in joining The Modern Counterculture as a journalist!
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