On Saturday morning a “Nationwide Rally to Defund Planned Parenthood” was staged, so of course I had to attend the counter-protest being held at the same time.
Their opponents would paint them as solely being provider of abortions, which is why they want the organization “defunded.” Setting aside the moral argument for a woman’s right to choose what to do with her own body, along with the facts that federal dollars don’t go towards abortions, and that abortion isn’t even a service provided at the Dayton clinic, there is demonstrable evidence that the types of valuable preventive services and education Planned Parenthood offer leads to fewer abortions.
I have several friends who, without Planned Parenthood, would not have been able to get the routine services they needed. So I was happy to come out Saturday and support Planned Parenthood, even though I would much prefer that such a thing not be necessary.
Also, since I was near the front of the protest and was carrying a sign with a clearly visible, non-profane message, my smiling face showed up in the local news.
My immediate reaction upon seeing the picture was relief that I’d taken the time to make sure my sign’s kerning was decent.