This past weekend was my 5th year reunion - which was amazing.  More soon.  

But as part of it, I went to see Cecil Richards speak about Planned Parenthood and all the "debate" over women's reproductive rights.  

Then, we went a little fan girl on her and got a (pretty blurry) photo with her.

she's on my hero list.

And she reminded me about this video that students made in response to Congress making it their first priority of the session to cut funding to Planned Parenthood.  

but she also talked about how Planned Parenthood is now better funded than ever before, that more people know that over 90% of everything that the funding goes to is for preventative health care services for women  like mammograms and pap smears (not abortions).

They really couldn't have gotten all that publicity without these ridiculous debates.

Her discussion of the new PP website reminded me of seeing Dan Savage talk about It Gets Better - when he thought, "Why am I waiting for parents and teachers to invite me into their children's schools - I can just put it up on youtube and everyone will see it".  The same thing with Planned Parenthood - since improving sex education in schools is such a slow, frustrating process - why are we waiting for parents and schools and local governments to permit us to give youth information about safe sex when we can just put it on the internet and the youth can find it themselves?

Now you can actually text a live representative of Planned Parenthood any questions you have - no matter how emergent or basic - and they'll figure out how to give you information or help.  

"Ask any woman and she'll tell you: health care for women is more expensive than it is for men.  In fact, during their reproductive years, women spend 68% more on health care than men do.

-Rod Blagojevich