Planned Parenthood Promotes STI Testing Awareness

Hempstead, NY—Planned Parenthood of Nassau County (PPNC) and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic (PPHP) are excited to partner with the Kaiser Family Foundation and MTV on a national awareness campaign to educate teens and young people about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), getting testing and getting treatment when needed.

The details of the campaign will be revealed starting on April 1 during the world television premiere of MTV’s upcoming movie, Pedro. In 1994, Pedro Zamora captured the hearts of millions as the first-ever openly gay, HIV-positive main character on TV — on MTV’s The Real World: San Francisco. Told through the eyes of his friends and family, Pedro celebrates the extraordinary life a young man who found out he was HIV positive at 17, then made the courageous decision to dedicate his life to speaking out about the disease.

This profoundly touching movie, produced by BMP Films in association with MTV and written by Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black (Milk), provides a unique opportunity to begin an honest discussion about the realities of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.

Planned Parenthood of Nassau County will be hosting a local watch party of the film to raise awareness about the importance of HIV and STD testing. The watch party will take place on April 1, 2009 at 7:45 p.m. at the Hofstra University Student Center Theater. PPNC is co-hosting the event with several other campus groups, including The Pride Network, Women of Action, Progressive Students Union, Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. Zeta Chapter, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Light refreshments will be served. Members of the media are encouraged to attend.

In addition, Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic employees are hosting parties at SUNY Stony Brook and throughout their Suffolk communities.

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Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, Inc (PPHP) is the 16th largest affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and operates 13 medical centers in Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam Counties.  In 2008, PPHP provided services to over 36,000 patients in over 70,000 visits.  We conducted over 1,800 education programs reaching more than 30,000 youth and adults, and mobilized approximately 10,000 advocates to protect reproductive health care rights.  PPHP has served the community for 75 years, and is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to make responsible choices regarding their sexuality and sexual health.  Planned Parenthood has done more to reduce the incidence of abortion and unintended pregnancy than any other health care provider or advocacy group.  PPHP is headquartered in Hawthorne NY. For more information about PPHP services and programs, visit http://www.pphp.org/.

Planned Parenthood of Nassau County (PPNC) is one of more than 90 affiliates of Planned Parenthood Federation of America and operates 3 health centers in Nassau County. In 2008, PPNC provided services to more than 14,000 patients during 22,000 visits. We conducted 700 education workshops and street outreach to 27,000 teens and families, and mobilized approximately 6,000 advocates to protect reproductive health care rights.  PPNC has served the community for 76 years, and is dedicated to educating and empowering individuals to make responsible choices regarding their sexuality and sexual health. For more information about PPNC’s services and programs, visit http://www.ppnc.org/.