You Say Election, We Say Vagina: A Benefit for Planned Parenthood

Local comedians are presenting a benefit performance for Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio Region on Tuesday, Oct. 23 at Below Zero Lounge at 1122 Walnut St. in Over-the-Rhine. The show, titled You Say Election, We Say Vagina:  A Night of Legitimate Comedy, starts at 8 p.m.

Motivated by the record number of attacks on women’s health over the past year, supporters of Planned Parenthood recruited local comedian Alison Rampa to gather some of Cincinnati’s funniest people for a response. “Politicians across the country are trying to take away birth control and cancer screenings,” said Rampa. “That, coupled with political pundits’ name-calling and elected officials’ offensive claims about ‘legitimate rape’, puts you in a place where you could either laugh or cry. We decided to laugh.

“This show is a celebration of ladies and lady parts,” said Rampa. “If you are a woman, know a woman, or would like to be a woman, you will feel right at home.”

OTR Improv, a member of the Jackson Street Market, will perform The Chronicle, which premiered at the 2012 Fringe Festival. The Chronicle will be inspired by the personal stories of audience members and performers as they relate to Planned Parenthood, feminism, and reproductive health.

The Lovely Ladies of Improv is a gathering of female improvisers who will take audience suggestions to create a one-of-a-kind comedy set.

Dirty Girl Cabaret will kick-off the evening with bawdy songs and dirty jokes from busty ladies.

“Women are the future of funny, and Cincinnati has them in spades,” said Rampa. “It will be an outrageous, fun night for everyone.”

The event is produced by Parents and Professionals (P²) for Planned Parenthood, a Cincinnati-based volunteer group. The goals of P² are to raise awareness about the vital health services that PPSWO provides to women, men, and teens in Southwest Ohio, to build the PPSWO supporter network and to raise money for the PPSWO community education fund.  

Tickets are $20 advance or $25 at the door and are available at www.PPSWO.org on the Events page.

 Serving 20 counties in Southwestern Ohio and three in Northern Kentucky, PPSWO strengthens the community by preventing unintended pregnancy and empowering individuals with the knowledge, opportunity and freedom to make private decisions about reproductive and sexual health.  With eight health centers throughout the region, it is PPSWO’s goal to provide reproductive health care services to any individual who wants or needs them; to advocate public policies which guarantee each individual's access to services, right to privacy and ability to make reproductive decisions free of coercion; and to provide human sexuality education which enhances the health and well-being of individuals in the community. PPSWO is an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.