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Planned Parenthood is a proud supporter of the LGBTQI+ community. That’s why we march at Pride events throughout the country, and that’s why we work so hard to provide inclusive, welcoming health care to all people.

As the associate medical director at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, I want everyone in the LGBTQI+ community to get the sexual and reproductive health care they need and deserve. For so long, people in the LGBTQI+ community looked at so many institutions as points of danger, and at Planned Parenthood we’re trying to change that and reinforce that health care is safe for our community.

Many times people will go into a health care setting, and the provider will assume that a man’s sexual partner is a woman, or they will use the wrong pronouns. These types of microaggressions prevent you from showing up honestly and prevents you from being your full self with your health care provider.

At Planned Parenthood, our staff members are deeply committed to inclusive care, and we’re trained to understand the diverse experiences of people’s lives; that sex no matter who it is with, is a healthy part of someone’s life and should be respected and validated.

Here is some important information to help keep you safe and healthy this summer and beyond:

Getting Vaccinated Will Help You Have a Healthy Summer

Get vaccinated for COVID-19 so that you can go have a healthy summer and healthy sexual encounters without spreading this virus. Learn more about getting vaccinated at myturn.gov.

STI Rates Are on the Rise

Sexually transmitted infection rates for gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis are continuing to rise, so people need to get tested for them regularly even if they have no symptoms. It’s a normal, healthy part of your life to have testing and treat any infection you may have to keep you and your partners safe. At Planned Parenthood we test for STIs in the genitals area, the rectum, and the throat, which is the best way to find and treat STIs.

Using Condoms is the Best

Everyone who leaves Planned Parenthood is offered a bag full of condoms because using condoms is still the most effective way to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.

HIV Transmission is Preventable

The LGBTQI+ community took power, and took control of their own health in the 1980s and 1990s to protect their community during the HIV epidemic. The fruit of that labor is that HIV is preventable today. A person diagnosed with HIV can now access treatments that make HIV undetectable. An undetectable level of HIV means that the person with HIV can live a long healthy life, and they can’t pass the virus to anyone else.

PrEP is Power

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is another powerful tool to prevent the spread of HIV. When taken daily, this medication regimen drastically reduces a person’s chances of getting HIV. PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) can be taken after a high risk exposure to reduce the chances of getting HIV, but it is not as effective as PrEP.

HIV Testing is Easy

New HIV tests require only a finger prick and 20 minutes to get your results. At Planned Parenthood, we support those with a positive HIV test result through our Care Coordination program, which connects people to the health care and social support services they need to lead a long, healthy life.

Planned Parenthood Offers Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Since launching this program two years ago, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest has offered this service to hundreds of people. Last year, we started offering this service through telehealth with great results for patients who feel more comfortable getting care from their own home.

You Can Be Yourself at Planned Parenthood

I am proud that Planned Parenthood is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQI+ community in the work that we do at our health centers, and the support we show in our community. By being present at Pride events, we show members of the LGBTQI+ community that we care about your health, you’re not alone, and you can be yourself at Planned Parenthood.

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