Have you ever noticed that almost no abortion clinic includes the word “abortion” in their name? Usually abortion clinics are named something like “Springfield Women’s Center” or “Family Planning Services”. Out of over 400 abortion clinics in this list ^[1], only seven actually have the word “abortion” in their name. In most cases, abortion is the clinic’s main business, yet they don’t advertise that service openly.

Yet, if you look at the typical pro-life crisis pregnancy center, most of them have the term “pregnancy” in them (see this list ^[2]). They make it clear what their business is: they help women who are pregnant.

So which one is being deceptive in their advertising practices? Here in Montgomery County, Maryland, the county council has decided that it is the pro-life pregnancy centers which are deceptive, and therefore they want to pass a law ^[3] requiring them (and only them) to advertise what the do NOT sell, i.e. abortions. The directors of these CPC’s are understandably not pleased:

“The people who are using our services aren’t misunderstanding what we do and what we’re providing,” said Jacqueline Stippich, executive director for Shady Grove Pregnancy Center. She said most of the center’s new clients are referred by past clients.

A similar proposal currently being considered by the Baltimore City Council.

Rockville Pregnancy Center Executive Director Gail Tierney said those types of legislations are singling out anti-abortion pregnancy centers to score political points.

“I just kind of find it strange as a medical clinic to make us list things we don’t do,” Tierney said. “It’s like having Home Depot having to post a sign saying: We don’t sell dresses.”