Planned Parenthood Advocate

Planned Parenthood has a book club!

By Karina

Web Editor

Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Hey everyone,

I’m excited to let you know that we now have our very own Book Club! The first book we’ll be reading is “Female Chauvinist Pigs” by Ariel Levy, an examination of the place of women in the rise of raunch culture. Questions are posed about the role models of today's society, buzzwords surrounding sexuality today, and the relationship of women with feminism from the past and feminism from today.

Come Join PPMNS volunteers and Friends to discuss this book, woman’s rights, and popular culture’s perspectve towards women. It should be a thought-provoking discussion and an awesome chance to connect with friends of PPMNS.

When: Wednesday May 26th 6:00-8:00

Where: 1200 Lagoon Ave, Mpls

RSVP: please e-mail us at volunteers@ppmns.org ASAP to let us know if you’re planning to read the book/attend the session so we can plan accordingly and communicate with you as needed.

Your Pro-Choice Candidate Convention Primer

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Well, the DFL convention is already underway—by Saturday night we’ll know who the DFL nominated candidate is. Very exciting!

But how do all of the candidates at the convention stack up on choice? Here’s a run down of the six DFL candidates who are seeking endorsement:

Former Minority Leader Matt Entenza: Throughout this 12 years in the Minnesota House, Matt maintained a 100% pro-choice voting record.

Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher: As speaker, Margaret has led many efforts to defeat anti-choice bills. As a house member, she was the author of the EC in ER bill as well as the Reproductive Privacy Act.

Senator John Marty: John was the author of the Prevention First bill in 2007 that increased funding for family planning and he has had 100% pro-choice voting record through his career in the Senate..

Rep. Paul Thissen: As the chair of the health policy committee, Paul has been a leader on responsible sex education, and has been integral to ensuring that family planning is fully funded.

Rep. Tom Rukavina: Tom has served for 24 years in the Minnesota House and been a 100% pro-choice voter throughout.

Mayor R.T. Rybak: R.T. has been a leader in teen pregnancy prevention and has been pushing the city to create comprehensive plan to address this problem.

Minnesotans are fortunate to have such a strong field of Pro-Choice candidates. The key will be ensuring that one of them wins so that Minnesota will finally have a pro-choice governor after too many years rolling back women’s rights.

Planned Parenthood Minnesota Political Action Fund is running a campaign to make sure that the next governor of Minnesota is Pro-Choice. But we can’t do it without you! Your contribution to our PAC will go a long way to making our goal come true. Any amount can make a difference. Click here to make a donation.

More on the candidate’s views on choice:

Rachel Nygaard’s round up on the Candidate’s views on Choice.

Check out WoMN’s video of the candidates answering a question on choice.

Happy Earth Day! Check out our new video!

 

 

 

 

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Over the past couple of years, Planned Parenthood has become increasingly involved in the issue of environmental toxins and how they affect our reproductive health. Scientists are continually finding that many of the chemicals contained in products we use daily are having a negative effect on our health—particularly our reproductive health. As protectors of reproductive health, we are committed to addressing this looming environmental issue.

To that end, we’ve created a video that explains why environmental health is an issue that pro-choicers should care about. This Earth Day please take a moment to watch this video and then share it with your friends and family, as well as with your networks on facebook and twitter. For more information visit greenischoice.org

 

If you are interested in learning more, please come to our at Earth Day Education event at our Uptown office TONIGHT. We are also thrilled to have presenter, Dr. David Wallinga, Director of Food and Health program from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, join us for a great discussion on this issue. Our Teen Council will also instruct participants on making their own environmentally-friendly cosmetics and cleaning supplies. The event is tonight from 6-8pm at our office in Minneapolis located at 1200 Lagoon Avenue. For more information or to RSVP please email volunteers@ppmns.org.

EARTH DAY VIDEO: Environmental Health and CHOICE

by Karina

Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Happy Earth Day!

Well happy almost Earth Day! You might be wondering why a Planned Parenthood blogger is wishing you a Happy Earth Day.  Yes, I am a bit of a tree hugger, but I’m not the only one.  Over the past couple of years, Planned Parenthood has become increasingly involved in the issue of environmental toxins and how they affect our reproductive health.  Scientists are finding that many of the chemicals contained in products we use daily are having a negative effect on our health—particularly our reproductive health. As protectors of reproductive health, it’s time for Planned Parenthood to get involved in this issue.

To that end, I’ve created a BRAND NEW video that further explains Planned Parenthood’s involvement in the environmental health issue and explains some of the ways our reproductive health is affected by the chemicals we encounter in our every day lives. Check it out and please be sure to share this video with your friends and family and post to facebook and twitter as well. We need your help to get the word out about this critical issue.

 

Also, be sure visit our new website, greenischoice.org to find information on healthy alternatives to these chemicals. And stay connected with environmental health issues by following GREEN IS CHOICE on twitter.

Planned Parenthood Statement on MDH Report on Sexually Transmitted Infections in Minnesota

Today, the Minnesota Department of Health released the latest report on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Minnesota. The report shows that STIs have decreased 5% overall since 2008. Chlamydia rates have held steady while gonorrhea and syphilis rates in Minnesota have gone down 24 and 28 percent respectively.

“Today’s report is good news and a step in the right direction, but there is much work left to be done. STIs rates across Minnesota are still far too high. Lawmakers, the public health community and citizens must come together to address STI rates in our communities,” said PPMNS President and CEO Sarah Stoesz.

The Minnesota Department of Health released figures earlier this year showing an alarming increase in HIV infections among young Minnesotans, with new HIV cases in the state increasing by 13 percent in 2009, marking a 17-year high.  In addition, the state has seen successive increases in the rates of STIs over the past several years.  Last April’s 2008 STI report showed the highest level of infections ever, with over 17,000 cases reported.

Last month, PPMNS released a report on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) as part of a sustained effort to raise awareness of the STI epidemic in Minnesota. The report contextualizes the impact of STIs and HIV and calls on lawmakers to address this need with additional funding, a public education campaign as well as school-based, age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education programming that would offer young people the information and means to protect themselves.

“This is a serious public health issue that needs attention now. We need to embrace public policy solutions. Doing so will result in healthier young people and a healthier Minnesota,” said Stoesz.

Planned Parenthood sees the toll STIs take on our communities across the state each day. More than 94% of Planned Parenthood’s 64,000 patients are women. This population - female patients aged 26 and younger - are at the greatest risk of acquiring an STI. Many STIs s can cause permanent damage if not treated early. For example, women infected with gonorrhea or chlamydia are at risk of developing pelvic inflammatory disease.  Long term complications may include infertility, chronic pain and ectopic pregnancy and a significantly increased risk of acquiring HIV.

Planned Parenthood administers approximately 62,000 STI tests annually, including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HPV.  Planned Parenthood provides reproductive health education programming with a focus on reducing STIs and HIV and unintended pregnancies and provides sex education programs that empower communities to make healthy, responsible decisions about their reproductive health.

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Contact:

Kathi Di Nicola 651-755-9557