All Good in the Hood

As the sex education provided to students appears to be failing to educate students in a safe and in a non-bias informative matter, other resources are available to aid in the education process. Planned Parenthood is one of the more well known nonprofit organizations that specializes in reproductive health and offers a safe platform for information regarding safe sex and LGBT+ inclusive education.

Planned Parenthood has recently gained a lot of backlash for offering abortion services, causing many people to want to shut down the organization. Many politicians, including our current president, are aiming to shut down Planned Parenthood. Trump has made steps to redirect federal funds away from programs that support abortion services to programs that are anti-abortion.

While Planned Parenthood may support and provide abortion services, they also offer a plethra of helpful and affordable health services with zero judgement. Community members are able to go for a variety of testing services including pregnancy testing and STI/STD testing for an affordable price. Transitioning members of the LGBT+ community may be able to get hormone therapy and support groups are offered. Various forms of birth control are offered, from condoms to IUD. Additionally, basic affordable healthcare is offered for anyone and everyone. 

So even if you are against abortions and want to shut the pro-choice organizations down, then you would also be shutting down services that are beneficial and helpful to other community members. Planned Parenthood focuses on a healthy and educated environment no matter the socioeconomic status you uphold. By defunding and shutting down Planned Parenthood, approximately 2.4 million patients will lose access to health services.

On their online presence, Planned Parenthood offers a variety of resources through articles and live chat rooms with qualified people. It creates a safe place to educate oneself on their body and relations with others. They are extremely helpful when you are unsure of a situation.

Specifically here in Columbus, Indiana, not only do community members have access to Planned Parenthood but also have access to an organization by the name of Clarity. These platforms of support are able to present reliable and accurate information and help. Instead of leading students in the dark away from reality, organizations like these are able to bring a better form of sex education and healthcare.

These organizations provide resources that have not been properly given to students. They offer a safe place filled with information that is neglected to be taught to us. Organizations like this should be supported to not only help better the education of misinformed students but also to help members in the community who need an affordable and safe place to go.

Planned Parenthood is available through a variety of on-site locations. Their on-site locations offer a variety of health services including:

• Abortion Services/Referrals
• Birth Control
• Emergency Contraception
• General Health Care
• HIV Services
• LGBT Services
• STD Tests/Treatments
• Pregnancy Testing
• Patient Education
• Men Health Services
• Women Health Services

Clarity is available through a variety of on-site locations. Their on-site locations offer a variety of health services including:

• Pregnancy Testing
• STI Testing
• Support Groups for Abortion/Sexual Abuse (available for both men and women)