Planned Parenthood Clergy Advocacy Board Recognizes Historic Senators Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff  

New senators representative of the deep and longstanding religious support for access to contraception and safe and legal abortion 

 Washington, D.C. — The Clergy Advocacy Board of the Planned Parenthood Federation of American recognizes the historic nature of today’s swearing-in of Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock and Senator Jon Ossoff to the United States Senate.

Since 2005, Sen. Warnock has served as the Senior Pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, the former pulpit of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He is also a former sexual health educator, and has proudly referred to himself as a “pro choice pastor.” Sen. Ossoff, the first Jewish senator from Georgia, will be counted among the many Jewish policy makers supporting the work of community health centers like Planned Parenthood. Both have long been champions of access to affordable, comprehensive reproductive health care — including contraception and safe, legal abortion.

Statement from the Clergy Advocacy Board of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America

At a time when attacks on reproductive rights in states, nationally, and around the world often come under the guise of protecting religious ideals, the Clergy Advocacy Board of Planned Parenthood welcomes two leaders committed to preserving and expanding reproductive health, rights, and justice to the U.S. Senate. The historic swearing-in of Senators Warnock and Ossoff is an important reminder that — from the very start of the reproductive health and rights movement in the United States to today — there is a deep and longstanding multifaith commitment to standing with those who seek and provide contraception and abortion. Senator Warnock and Senator Ossoff’s courage and convictions will serve Georgians well, especially those who are often marginalized and lack access to essential reproductive health and wellness services. We look forward to standing alongside them in their work to lift up the needs and voices of all people in the coming years.

Background on the Planned Parenthood Federation of America Clergy Advocacy Board:

Building on the long history of faith leaders taking an active role in supporting reproductive health care, the Clergy Advocacy Board has been working with Planned Parenthood at the national and state levels to further the goal of full reproductive rights and freedom for all people for more than two decades. Its members, who are dedicated clergy and faith leaders from different denominations and communities throughout the U.S., lead a national effort to increase public awareness of the theological and moral basis for advocating reproductive health.

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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.