Discrimination Against Breastfeeding In Public

I received the following mass Fwd in my email this morning by a respected CPM in the San Fransisco Bay Area. Apparently, California's Attorney General is researching discrimination against breastfeeding moms in public. Yet another example of why California is a great place to live if you can get over the incredible cost of living... Anywho, would any California girls like to participate? Check this out:

From: Beth McGovern [mailto:bmcgovern@women.ca.gov]

The Civil Rights Enforcement Division of the CA Attorney General's (AG) Office is gathering information regarding discrimination against mothers who breastfeed in public. They would like to hear from women who have experienced this type of discrimination during the last year.

The right of women to breastfeed their children when and where they need to is an ongoing struggle. In 1997, a law was passed establishing a woman's right to breastfeed her child anywhere she is otherwise authorized to be present. In spite of this law, women who breastfeed are still sometimes subjected to discrimination and are deprived of their right to breastfeed in public places.

This is an important project and we encourage mothers to contact Sunny Sarkis at the AG's office (contact information below) and share your stories!

Sincerely,
California Commission on the Status of Women
_______________________________________

If you have information regarding discrimination against breastfeeding mothers, please contact: Sunny Sarkis, Graduate Student Assistant California Attorney General's Office, CivilRights Enforcement Division (916) 324-4085 Sunny.Sarkis@doj.ca.gov

Personally, I'm pretty impressed that California is being proactive to secure a women's right to breast feed in public. Unfortunately, I think it is probably still necessary. But I have to say, as someone who did a lot of breastfeeding in public. I never experienced so much as a dirty look, much less discrimination. I was always pretty blatant about it too. I never used a blanket or any type of cover (Not that I exposed myself! There was a baby in the way!). I didn't hide in corners, though both my baby and I preferred a more secluded spot. However, that was because we were hoping for a quiet moment not because we didn't want anyone to notice what we were doing. I've breastfed on countless airplane rides, at malls, in restaurants, in government buildings, in libraries, in stores, at church... you name it. Maybe I was just oblivious to the nasty glances, but I prefer to believe they just weren't happening. And honestly, I don't think they were.

When I breastfed Normy in public it often started up the best conversations with people. Women would feel prompted to tell me about their own struggles or joys with nursing. Old men and women would tell me about their grandkids. And new dads would tell me about how proud they were of their wives nursing their seven kids...and on and on. I'm not saying the battle is over; that women don't face hostility when they nurse their babes in public. I KNOW that still happens sometimes. I guess what I am trying to say is that I just never noticed it myself. I'd like new moms out there, wondering how they're ever going to get up the courage to nurse in public, to know that it really isn't all that bad. MOST people today (in every state, not just Crazy California!) are actually wonderfully supportive. The word is out; "Breast IS Best!"

Notice we aren't using blankest, and you can't see a thing!

Nursing while sightseeing, a self portrait...

In that last picture we were chilling out in the back of this old Mission Church. Periodically other tourist would stroll through and take a look around. No one said anything to me other than a friendly "Hello! Sure is hot outside, huh?"

At the salon before my sister's wedding.

Out to eat at The Stinking Rose in San Francisco. YUMMY!