Happy Pride!
As a new member of the Charlotte community, having moved to the area only several months ago, I have been pleasantly surprised by all the progressive activism and open dialogue here. When I was out to lunch with a few friends last week, the conversation turned to reproductive rights, and one of my friends asked, "Why is Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights important to the LGBTQ community?"
As Gloria Steinem once famously said in a speech to the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, "It just makes sense that feminists and gays should be supportive of one another. After all, we're fighting the same enemies. The people who don't want women's rights are pretty much the same people who don't want gay rights." At Planned Parenthood Health Systems, we recognize and respect the fact that we are indeed fighting for the same thing — the right to love who we love, openly and safely, without judgment and government interference.
With that said, LGBT Pride Month (celebrated during June) is a good reminder that one of the most important things you can do to take care of yourself is to protect your sexual health. Members of the LGBTQ communities have unique healthcare needs and face unique challenges in obtaining and benefiting from sexual and reproductive health services. Local Planned Parenthood health centers can help you get the care you need. It's important to remember that routine visits with a healthcare provider can help prevent illness and find problems that may need treatment.
Planned Parenthood believes that all people deserve high-quality, affordable healthcare, no matter who they are and no matter where they live. We believe that when people are truly cared for, they make their lives, their families and their communities better and healthier. Planned Parenthood Health Systems is proud and honored to serve the LGBTQ community in the greater Charlotte-Mecklenburg area.
We wish everyone a happy Pride!
— Diana Warth,
Director of Leadership Giving,
Planned Parenthood, Charlotte
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