Life
7 Ways To Show Support For Planned Parenthood Today
If your newsfeed has been a flood of pink on March 29, it's not just because it's Wednesday and everyone loves Mean Girls references (though that might also be true). The real explanation is that it's Planned Parenthood's Pink Out Day: a day for everyone to stand in solidarity with the organization — which provides crucial reproductive healthcare services to women across the U.S. — and bring much-needed, bright pink visibility to the cause.
Women's healthcare and reproductive rights have been a hot button issue in the political sphere, especially under the Trump administration, and naturally Planned Parenthood has been in the thick of the debate because of their feminist, pro-choice stance. Just a few weeks ago, Trump threatened to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood if they didn't agree to stop providing abortions (which have been legal in the U.S. since 1973). This "conditional support" of Planned Parenthood is offensive for a lot of reasons, namely because it completely disregards all the other important services Planned Parenthood offers to low-income women all over the country.
Rather than sit quietly by, however, Planned Parenthood wants its supporters to stand together and fight for women's healthcare and reproductive rights. If you're already decked out in all-pink attire, here are seven other small ways you can show your support for Planned Parenthood on Pink Out Day.
1Donate Directly
As always, giving a monetary donation (however small) is a powerful way to literally give back to Planned Parenthood.
2Volunteer At A Local Branch
If you have free time in your schedule today (or any day, really) sign up to volunteer with Planned Parenthood and put in the hours working for a great cause. Pro tip: invite some friends and turn it into a ladies-help-ladies party!
3Spread The Word
As predictable as it may seem, one of the best ways to show your support for the cause is to voice your opinion on social media. If you haven't yet, you can pink-ify your Facebook profile picture as a way to show your support on Pink Out Day, or you could share some funny feminist memes on social media as a way to stand in solidarity.
4Buy Your BFF (Or Yourself) A Cute Bracelet
If you're in the mood for a cute new feminist accessory, you can buy this 'The Future is Female' bracelet from Bird and Stone. The cuff, which is $38, comes in brass and silver, and proceeds will go to Planned Parenthood of NYC.
5Gift Yourself A New Sex Toy
Giving to an incredibly deserving charity like Planned Parenthood and getting a fun sex toy out of the deal? Sounds almost too good to be true — but it's not, thanks to Vibrant, a new social enterprise shopping and education site for adult pleasure. They sell tons of body-safe, sex-positive toys and 100 percent of proceeds go to Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
Flex by Crave, $89, Vibrant
6Have A Drink Here
For anyone who lives in NYC, there's no tastier way to support Planned Parenthood than by having a drink at Butter and Scotch in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. It's a women-owned joint with feminist-inspired cocktails (like the 'Smash the Patriarchy') that you can have fun sipping with your friends. The best part? They donate one dollar of each drink sold to Planned Parenthood!
7Play This Sperm-Filled Game
If you're stuck in the office and can't get out to volunteer or shop for clothes at stores that support Planned Parenthood, you can still get in the spirit. Sperm Invaders is a Space Invaders parody in which a little floating penis shoots sperm at your eggs, and it's your job to defend yourself. It'a hilarious way to procrastinate, and the site prompts you to donate to PP after the game ends. Send it to all your friends and see who can get the highest score — and who donates the most.
No matter how you decide to do so, the most important thing to do on Pink Out Day is voice your support for Planned Parenthood, and by association, women's healthcare and reproductive rights. Only by fighting for important causes can we effect change — and what better way to do that than by donning your fiercest pink and standing together?
