With the 2016 election over, and a lot of people’s worst fears come true, many are scared for the future of a woman’s right to choose and for the future of Planned Parenthood. Both our president-elect and vice president-elect have spoken openly about defunding the center. This article is not here to change anyone’s mind. I don’t have the space (or the patience) to write an article that convinces those against a woman’s right to choose to get an abortion why it is indeed their right. I have learned time and time again that this is an extremely difficult task. That’s not to say that this isn’t a task I’m willing to tackle, it just isn’t the point of my article today. Instead, let’s talk about why Planned Parenthood is so important, why they need your help, and how you can help them.
As a canvasser for Planned Parenthood, I consistently find that even people who support Planned Parenthood don’t really know what they do. So let’s lay that on the table first.
1. Planned Parenthood is the number one provider of reproductive healthcare in the country.
They provide care to 2.5 million men and women every year. Besides those safe and legal abortions that everyone seems to get so worked up about, they also provide STD/STI screenings, birth control, cancer screenings, and other such care. Coincidentally, only 3% of the procedures they perform are abortions. You know, if that’s still an issue for you.
2. Men go to Planned Parenthood too.
That's right! Last time I checked, men need STD/STI screenings and cancer screenings too. Furthermore, transgender people exist, meaning there are men out there who have vaginas that need medical care. Bringing me to my next point:
3. Planned Parenthood is the number one provider of LGBT+ healthcare in the country.
Their doctors are trained to care for LGBT+ people respectfully and properly, something that can be hard to find in certain parts of the country. LGBT+ people require health care the same way straight people do (wow!).
4. Poor people rely on Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood provides all of these services based on income. Meaning, if you have a low income and no medical insurance, Planned Parenthood is happy to provide these services to you for little to no cost. This includes regular check-ups. Yup! People use Planned Parenthood as an affordable option for regular healthcare, not just reproductive health care.
While it’s awesome that you turned your profile pic pink and signed that online petition, a little more needs to be done if we want 2.5 million people to keep getting the care they need. So, what can you do?
1. Correct rampant misinformation.
The stuff you just learned in this article, tell people about it! So many people don’t really know what Planned Parenthood does. If you didn’t think it was important before, with any luck, what you’ve just read has convinced you that it is imperative for Planned Parenthood to stay open. Don’t let people get away with their lies and hate. If you feel safe to do so, speak up!
2. Donate.
I know. We’re college students. I get it. But when I say any donation matters, I really mean it. Even a donation of $5 is one step toward providing someone with free birth control or an STD screening. If everyone who scrolled past this article on Facebook donated $5 and told their friends to do the same, Planned Parenthood would be in great shape. You can even do it in Mike Pence’s name out of spite.
3. Volunteer/ Work
Just as important as donations are volunteers. If we are going to win this fight, we need boots on the ground. That’s people who are willing to work at the desks in Planned Parenthood centers, or stand on the street and canvass for donations, or (for the really brave among us) escort people into clinics while protests happen outside to make sure they enter the center safely. If you really are as shaken as I, and so many of us are, find out what you can do.
This year is the 100th anniversary of Planned Parenthood and I’ll be damned if this will be its last. I still believe in the power of love over that of hate. I believe that women's health needs to be protected. I am going to fight tooth and nail for what I believe in, and I hope you will join me.
