In light of the changes going on within the transition of power in our government, Planned Parenthood seems to always be a consistent topic of discussion amongst GOP officials. Just recently, Speaker of The House, Paul Ryan, stated that Republican lawmakers are working to remove all federal funding that Planned Parenthood receives. All of this, of course, is a part of the larger plan for GOP officials to begin the process of dismantle The Affordable Care Act in the early days of a Trump Administration.

As news of this became public, many Planned Parenthood supporters decided to take action in the best way they know how. The past few days have been filled with supporters calling Speaker Ryan’s office and an overwhelming amount of petitions to prove to lawmakers how essential this organization is to many Americans. Ironically enough, when more than 50 Planned Parenthood Action Supporters went to deliver 80,000 petitions to the House Speaker’s office, they were greeted with six security guards who refused the delivery. Thankfully, Representative Gwen Moore (D-Wisconsin) graciously accepted the petitions that our Speaker of the House would not.

When most people hear Planned Parenthood, it is common to associate the organization with abortion. These negative views toward the organization are a very closedminded approach to the many health services that Planned Parenthood provides to millions of Americans each year.

Here are things to consider and reasons why I stand with Planned Parenthood:

• Abortion services only account for 3% of Planned Parenthood’s services. The ultimate goal of this organization is to prevent unintentional pregnancies, not to terminate pregnancies. It is very possible to be Pro-Life and still support Planned Parenthood.
• The other 97% of services that PP provides are general healthcare amenities. This consists of anything from STI/STD checks, contraception, all the way to cancer screenings, etc.
• Planned Parenthood is our nation’s largest sex education provider. In today’s culture, a little more sex education is never a bad thing.
• It is accessible in 650 different facilities around the country. With 57 independent local affiliates, around five million men, women, and adolescents seek care from Planned Parenthood all around the world.
• It provides affordable, and confidential care. Let’s be honest, we don’t live in the most ideal world where everyone has insurance and feels comfortable confiding in people. At PP, you can find affordable care in full doctor-patient confidentiality.
• Planned Parenthood is an organization that strongly supports the LGBTQ community as well as advocating for women and their right to choose on a daily basis. While still striving for equality in the United States, this progressive organization helps reach new benchmarks constantly.
• Since Planned Parenthood began, the number of unexpected and teen pregnancies has decreased significantly. Instead scaring people into not having sex, PP provides honest information and appropriate contraception options, which has resulted lower pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
• It’s a safe space. Everyone who enters a Planned Parenthood are all in the same position. With an office filled with advanced medical staff, the environment is comfortable and judgement free.
• As a leader in the reproductive health and rights movement, it has advanced the medical spectrum to the global health system, which has helped provide health care to people in nations where health care is not accessible due to poverty, war, politics, or just lack of services.
• Their mission is “Planned Parenthood was founded on the revolutionary idea that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams — no ceilings, no limits.”

There is no reason women should feel threatened when entering or exiting Planned Parenthood facilities. Organizations that empower citizens across the nation are the ones fighting the good fight. I will always stand with Planned Parenthood, and you should too.