Planned Parenthood Celebrates the Resilience, Strength, and Activism of LGBTQ Communities
For Immediate Release: June 15, 2018
NEW YORK — This June, Planned Parenthood proudly celebrates the resilience, strength, and activism of LGBTQ communities by joining efforts to stand up, push forward, and organize for change.
“Planned Parenthood believes that LGBTQ rights and reproductive rights are deeply connected to justice for all, said Dawn Laguens, executive vice president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “We have long stood with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the fight for full equality — many of whom turn to Planned Parenthood for health care, information, and education. This month and every month, we reaffirm our commitment to the rights and health of LGBTQ people and to building a world where no one experiences discrimination or violence because of their gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.”
LGBTQ people continue to face relentless attempts to undo the progress of the last half century and attacks against their health and lives. Since taking office, the Trump-Pence administration has been systematically attacking people’s health and rights, and passing policies that take away the rights of LGBTQ people, people of color, people with disabilities, and women. Legislation at all levels of government continues to threaten LGBTQ people’s ability to access health care, raise their families, and live their most authentic lives.
“Resistance takes many forms,” Laguens said. “Taking care of your health and your body in the face of discrimination — and working to ensure that others can do the same — is a form of resistance. As a health care provider and educator, Planned Parenthood understands that LGBTQ people need high-quality, affordable health care that affirms their identity, their family, and their sexuality — as well as the ability and resources to make their own health care decisions with dignity. That’s why we work in partnership with LGBTQ communities to expand their access to health care, this June and every month of the year.”
Planned Parenthood is proud to be a provider for so many in the LGBTQ communities. As the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate, Planned Parenthood serves 2.4 million patients annually through its health care service providers, and 1.5 million more through educational programs and outreach. Throughout June, Planned Parenthood will participate in Pride events in communities across the country.
Planned Parenthood health centers provide vital health care services for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender expression, and/or gender identity. Whether you’re gay or straight, trans or cis, you can come to us for cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control, abortion, and other health care services. Learn more at plannedparenthood.org.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.