Pride Month Begins with Commitment to Health Equity
For Immediate Release: June 1, 2024
St. Paul, MN — Pride month begins today on June 1, a time to come together and celebrate the diverse LGBTQIA+ community. While June is a time for great joy, it's also a time to highlight the need for health equity for LBGTQ+ people, whose sexual and reproductive health needs often go unmet by a system that has traditionally marginalized such care. Planned Parenthood North Central States is working to address these inequities by offering robust telehealth services along with LGBTQ+ Care Coordination.
"At a time when LGTBQ+ communities and health care are under attack, it's never been more important to celebrate Pride,” said Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “We are bringing joy and passion to this work as we focus on reducing barriers. While we know there is still work to do, we’ve come a long way and are honored to provide essential health care and inclusive sex education to the LGBTQ+ community.”
Telehealth allows PPNCS to meet patients where they are and reduce barriers to accessing health care. Patients can access critical health care without traveling large distances or leaving the comfort of their home. LGBTQ+ Care Coordination connects patients with resources in the community and care at PPNCS health centers. They help patients navigate insurance, understand how to legally change their names and/or gender markers on official documents, find support groups, provide information about transitioning and referrals for surgeries, and answer any questions.
Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) will be present at over 30 different Pride events across the five-state region, from big cities to smaller towns.
"Pride celebrations are a reminder of the freedom and belonging found in inclusive communities. This should be available to LGBTQ+ people everywhere they go,” said Dr. Nicole Chaisson, Associate Medical Director of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “My patients appreciate being seen for who they really are. Planned Parenthood strives to ensure all patients feel safe, respected, and supported, no matter what health care they are seeking.”
PPNCS provides vital health care services for people of all sexual orientations, gender expressions, and gender identities. Our wide range of reproductive and sexual health services includes cervical and breast cancer screenings, contraception care, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, HIV testing, PrEP and PEP, immunizations, pregnancy testing, emergency contraception, gender-affirming care including hormone management, and abortion information and options.
###
Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education, and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). Each year, we provide health care to more than 93,000 people and health education to more than 58,000 people in our region.