Monthly Monitor: June 2020
By Planned Parenthood Advocates in Missouri | June 16, 2020, noon
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Black Lives Matter. Full Stop.
The CEOs of each of Missouri’s Planned Parenthood affiliates — Brandon Hill of Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Yamelsie Rodríguez of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri — spoke out in solidarity with people of good conscience demanding that we respect and honor Black lives. We know that there can be no reproductive justice without racial justice. We all deserve to be able to raise our families safely and live our lives free from violence and oppression.
It is on non-Black people, especially white folks, to do the work of dismantling white supremacy and creating a more just world. That means following the lead of Black people by listening, reading, amplifying — and showing up to stand for racial justice.
Supporter Briefing Call on Thursday
Join the Planned Parenthood Action Fund for a conversation on how we can stand in solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives Juneteenth Actions. This briefing will provide cultural and political context to the moment we are in, give an overview of why we protest, and share how we can reduce risks while protesting.
WIN: Abortion Access Protected in Missouri!
After a year-long battle with Gov. Mike Parson’s health department, Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region (RHS) won! An administrative commission has ruled that the state wrongfully blocked RHS's license. This is tremendous news: RHS — the only health center licensed to provide abortion in the entire state — can continue providing abortion services in St. Louis!
While this is an important win, we know it's not enough. Even with RHS providing care in St. Louis, the long list of medically unnecessary abortion restrictions makes it too burdensome for most to access the care they need in their home state. It doesn't have to be this way.
MoLeg 2020 By the Numbers
We want to wrap up our review of the 2020 Missouri Legislative Session by highlighting the amazing work that we’ve done together. Even in the middle of a pandemic that cut out six of our busiest weeks of the year, Planned Parenthood Advocates supporters came through!
Special thanks to State Sen. Jill Schupp and NAACP Missouri President Rod Chapel, who joined PPSLRSWMO President and CEO Yamelsie Rodríguez to recap the Missouri Legislative Session and look toward the August 4 election when we can vote Yes on Amendment 2 and expand affordable health care access to 230,000 Missourians!
It's Pride Month!
Pride Month is rooted in protests against police started in part by trans women of color, and we stand with you in protest against the people and systems threatening your bodies, livelihoods, and very lives. This year, Pride comes as we face an unprecedented global pandemic and as communities across the country struggle against systemic racism, oppression, and violence towards Black people.
We honor the strength and resilience of LGBTQ+ people during Pride — and we must examine the systemic barriers, oppression, and discrimination that continue to impact the health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community, especially LGBTQ+ people of color.
Read more: A History of Riots and Rebellion: LGBTQIA+ and Racial Justice
Let's Talk about Abortion
Change can only happen when challenging conversations begin, and we want to help you make these conversations easier. For this reason, we are launching our Summer Abortion Advocacy Series!
We will host five trainings, each on a different subject, that will guide you to becoming the best abortion advocate you can be. Sign up and join us!
- June 19th: Tell Your Story
- July 17th: How to Talk to Your Legislators About Abortion
This Friday: SEMO Virtual Happy Hour!
Join SEMO Advocates for a Happy Hour from your couch! Grab a drink and a snack as we hangout for games centered around reproductive health. Engage in conversation with fellow advocates and have fun! RSVP to join us at 5:30 p.m. this Friday.
Tell Parson: Veto Attacks on Planned Parenthood Patients
While they should have been focused on supporting Missourians through the worst public health crisis of our time, state lawmakers chose to attack Planned Parenthood patients by trying to block their access to health care — in the middle of a pandemic.
Let's be clear: this is not about abortion. Unjust laws currently exclude abortion from publicly funded health care programs that these patients rely on to get their care. So what kind of health care are lawmakers targeting? Birth control. Cancer screenings. STI testing and treatment.
Legislators chose to score political points for “defunding” Planned Parenthood — and they sacrificed Missouri patients to do it. Now these bills are on the governor’s desk. Tell Gov. Parson to veto these attacks and protect Planned Parenthood patients!
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