There are a lot of misconceptions and stigmas around Planned Parenthood. To conservatives, Planned Parenthood "creates incentives for women to get abortions" , "is to a healthcare provider as a heroin dealer is to a pharmacist", and a "criminal enterprise". It's no wonder people are confused as to what and who exactly Planned Parenthood is when there's all these "alternative facts" floating around. I recently went to a Planned Parenthood for the first time to get tested for STD's. After going I was originally going to write about the importance of getting tested, but I saw the #whyIstandwithPlannedParenthood trending and I thought I could speak first handedly about my experience at this so called "abortion factory".

Going there I was a little intimidated, even though I am a strong supporter of Planned Parenthood and believe 100% the right to choose is a woman's inherent right, I had never actually been to a clinic before. When I walked into the waiting room, there were about 10 people sitting there. Despite the picture that "Pro-Life" people try to paint the "evil" and almost pariah like of the women that go to Planned Parenthood, the women AND MEN that were there looked like everyday, normal people. There were a few couples, a few single men and women, and 3 teenage girls. The woman at the front desk gave me all the paperwork I had to fill out while I waited. She was so kind and patient each time I went up and asked what a question meant. On my way to the appointment room once I was called back, all the nurses that were there went out of their way to smile or say hi to me. When I was asked questions by the nurse about my health and why I was there, it wasn't an interrogation and there was no awkwardness, it was more like an open dialogue. I felt comfortable being completely honest and felt free to ask the nurse any questions I had. She asked me questions about my relationship, wanting to make sure I was in a healthy one. After I peed in a cup (which is the test for gonorrhea and chlamydia) and had my finger pricked (which is the test for HIV), I was able to go back to the waiting room as I waited for my results. (The HIV blood test they can test within 15 minutes, the gonorrhea and chlamydia tests have to be sent off to the lab.) As I was sitting there, a girl came in. She was at the most 13 years old. It looked like she had walked there from school, with her backpack still being on. She sat there alone filling out the paperwork. Whatever her story was, whatever situation got her in a place that she needed medical attention, if it weren't Planned Parenthood, she would not have anywhere to go. If it weren't for Planned Parenthood, any of those people, the couples, the teen girls, the men, and the women, in the waiting room, would have nowhere to go. Whether it's getting tested, needing access to birth control, treatment for STD's, testing for Diabetes or anemia, high blood pressure screening, morning after pills, mammograms, abortions, prenatal care and so much more, Planned Parenthood offers it all for free. The men and women that were in that waiting room didn't want to be there. No one wants to not have health insurance. No woman wants to not be able to afford birth control. No woman wants to have an abortion. That little girl that came in, sure as fuck did not want to be in the current situation that she was. But thank God for Planned Parenthood or else those people with no health insurance, would just get sicker and sicker. Those teens who cannot talk to their parents about safe sex, STD's, and healthy relationships, would be left with nothing except the bullshit, "Abstinence Only" teachings that are purely made to shame, not teach teens. Those women who cannot afford birth control without Planned Parenthood's help, would just become victim to being a mother out of a consequence, not a choice. Those women that chose to keep their child but do not have money for proper pre natal care, would be left with no care. Women who need abortions, without Planned Parenthood, would be left using a coat hanger in the back alley.  Without Planned Parenthood, that 13 year old little girl would have no one helping her out, not even those pro life advocates, who claim "All lives matter" but turn their back on a 13 year old girl who needs a pregnancy test and support. Planned Parenthood is not the enemy. The government officials who DO NOT EVEN HAVE A FUCKING UTERUS, that make it harder for women to have access to birth control, make teaching accurate sex ed in high school impossible, and make health care for the lower class unattainable, are the enemies here. An attack on Planned Parenthood may be disguised as a "Pro Life" movement, but really it's an attack on lower class women AND men's healthcare. I will forever stand with Planned Parenthood and you should too.