Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1999 16:44:26 -0700 From: Paul and Katy Giller <[log in to unmask]> X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.05 [en] (Win95; I) MIME-Version: 1.0 To: "Kathleen G. Auerbach" <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask] Subject: Breastfeeding bill Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dear Kathleens, I wrote the following letter, intending to post it to Lactnet, but decided to ask you first if its okay, since you are the listmoms. I haven't said anything that isn't true, but since I named an individual and his employer, as well as how to contact them, you may want to look it over first. I would hate to put Lactnet or myself at risk in any way. Thank you, Katy Giller, RN Boulder, CO Hello All, A bill here in Colorado introduced by Peggy Reeves of Fort Collins (I believe she is a state senator) was voted down in a 4-3 vote on Thursday. It would have allowed a mother to breastfeed her child anywhere she was legally entitled to be. I was distressed to read about this in the newspaper yesterday. But the thing that almost had me in tears was a talk-radio host,Jay Marvin, on KHOW in Denver, who yesterday had a 4-hour show on why women should NOT be allowed to breastfeed their children in public. He made remarks like, "Breastfeeding is disgusting.", and went on to rant about how his rights were being violated if a woman was breastfeeding in a restaurant where he was eating. He kept contending that he shouldn't have to look at "that". I didn't listen to the whole show, but several people called to say that it should be allowed if done "discreetly". Others called in with comments that were absolutely hostile towards breastfeeding. One woman called, indignant because another woman was breastfeeding in the pew in front of her in church, and her 4-year-old saw it and asked his mom if he, too, could breastfeed. "How am I supposed to explain THAT to my son?" she asked, indicating that the other woman was exposing her child to something harmful and immoral. He compared breastfeeding to defecating, and asked what the difference was between breastfeeding in a restaurant and changing a diaper in a restaurant. Normally I would think that he was just being sensationalistic, but his tone was really nasty. And the thing is, a LOT of people in the Denver area listen to him, as he is very popular. This is a man who self-righteously launched a campaign to support strip clubs in the Denver area. I guess he thinks that women have a right to use their breasts for the viewing pleasure of others, but not to nourish their children. I'm simply flabbergasted. I am going to write a letter to the station as soon as I cool off enough to say something that won't get me arrested. Anyone wishing to write also, click on http://www.630khow.com/#QuickComment to leave your comments. This show was damaging to women and children, and, as a breastfeeding mother, I felt personally attacked. It actually hurt my feelings. I usually don't get my shorts in a twist over this sort of ignorance and hostility because the people who say stuff like this come off like jerks and only have the power to influence the few they come in contact with. But Jay Marvin has a huge following and has set a hostile tone for breastfeeding couplets here in the Denver area. Thanks for listening, Katy Giller, RN Boulder, CO