7 Things You Can Do to Help Planned Parenthood and the Communities it Serves

When Donald Trump was declared the next president of the United States, people who love Planned Parenthood clamored to make sense of it all. We were shocked. Outraged. Devastated. Knowing that Trump and Mike Pence have vowed to “defund” Planned Parenthood and push a slew of other hateful, dangerous policies left many of us feeling hopeless.

But mark these words: Reproductive rights advocates — alongside reproductive justice partners across the nation — are banding together, girding our strength, and preparing to fight like hell to protect our rights. We are strong. Our movement is powerful. And we won’t back down.

What can you do right now if you care about Planned Parenthood? Try these seven things. 

1. Donate to Planned Parenthood

The work to protect Planned Parenthood patients’ access to care starts today. Your support helps so much.

• Donate to support Planned Parenthood health centers: Planned Parenthood health centers are open, and they are continuing to deliver vital reproductive health care — like birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing and treatment.

• Donate to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund to help fight political attacks and strengthen advocacy for reproductive health and rights — like access to sex education; safe, legal abortion; and health care at Planned Parenthood health centers.

2. Speak Out Against Hate

Planned Parenthood's patients include many of the groups that the Trump-Pence ticket targeted: immigrants, Muslims, and others. They are Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ. Planned Parenthood’s patients are from all walks of life, and they all deserve access to health care in a safe and welcoming place.

Wherever you are — online or IRL — declare your rejection of hate and your solidarity with the communities Trump has attacked. Show that you believe every single person is deserving of respect, dignity, and equal rights under the law.

3. Volunteer for Planned Parenthood

You can support Planned Parenthood with your time and energy in multiple ways:

• Go to PlannedParenthood.org to sign up to volunteer with Planned Parenthood, or call your local health center.

• If you’re in college, join Planned Parenthood Generation Action and become a leader in the movement. 

4. Make an Appointment for Health Care at Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood health center doors are continuing to stay open. Like always, every person is welcome to get health care at Planned Parenthood, no matter what.  

You can support Planned Parenthood by making your next reproductive health care appointment at your local Planned Parenthood health center. Need birth control? A well-woman exam? STD tests? Planned Parenthood can provide those for you, and much more. Several Planned Parenthood health centers also provide hormone replacement therapy for trans patients.

5. Tweet Your Defiance With #WeWontGoBack

Show on social media that you reject hate and refuse to let the next president roll back the rights we’ve fought so hard to secure.

Tweet your defiance along with the hashtag #WeWontGoBack. You can also retweet this #WeWontGoBack tweet, or share this #WeWontGoBack post on Facebook.

6. Share Cecile Richard’s Message of Strength

Planned Parenthood Action Fund president Cecile Richards shared a message of resilience the day after the election. Read Cecile's blog — it is sure to give you strength. Then, retweet this tweet or share this post on Facebook. 

Of course, these are just a few things you can do now. The opportunities to get involved and fight back won’t end here. Not even close. In this time of uncertainty, you can be sure that there will be more ways to take meaningful action in the days ahead.