Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains for gay men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is for gay men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Responsible Sex Education Institute and Healthy Colorado Youth Alliance to host panel today on Sexual Health in the Digital Age

Ten years ago Facebook didn’t exist; Twitter had yet to be invented, and cell phones were a form of technology owned primarily by adults. Today 75 percent of those between the ages of 13-17 own a cell phone, and 87 percent of them sleep with it turned on by their bed.

The advent of these new technologies combined with a constant barrage of sexual imagery in advertising, prime time television and all forms of popular media has created new obstacles to “the talk” that weren’t there just a decade ago. It takes a whole community to raise a healthy child, so it is vitally important for parents, community leaders and those who work with youth to understand the world our teens are facing.

In response to this need in the community, and in partnership with the Healthy Colorado Youth Alliance, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains’ Responsible Sex Education Institute will host a panel discussion entitled Sexual Health in the Digital Age at the Denver School of Science and Technology on Friday, June 8.

This panel will assemble experts from throughout the community to speak to the obstacles and opportunities presented by technology, and how we can use that technology to advance sexual health, address teen pregnancy rates, and in turn address high school graduation rates in our communities.
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey found that more than one in four 9th graders in Colorado has had sex. By 12th grade nearly 60 percent of youth reported having had sex and 30 percent of sexually active youth reported not using a condom during last sexual intercourse. With an estimated 750,000 American teens (15-19) becoming pregnant each year, the U.S. has the highest rates of teen pregnancy among comparable countries. The statics pertaining to STDs are just as alarming, with 1 in 2 sexually active young person contracting a common STD by age 25.

While “the talk” will always include the basics of puberty, healthy relationships, communication, birth control and STD prevention, today it is equally important for parents to also be informed and educated about how they can protect their teens online.

What can Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains do for you?

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Gay men in Denver, find out what Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains has to offer

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

PPRM wraps up Legislative Session and gears up for "Pledge to Oppose” Personhood Campaign

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains looks back at key wins and losses for Colorado women and their families as the 2012 state legislative session comes to a close in a statement from CEO and President Vicki Cowart (pictured):

“We expected 2012 to usher in harmful bills targeting Colorado women and families, but thankfully our champions in the House and Senate as well as our advocates in the community did not sit idly by. We fought to defeat two attempts at establishing fetal “personhood” as well as a resolution that could have opened the door to discriminatory practices as well as privacy issues.

• House Bill 1130 and Senate Bill 125 were two fetal homicide bills that would have created a new class of crime victims: human embryos. Because assault and homicide are crimes against persons, HB 1130 expanded legal personhood to include fertilized eggs. That’s exactly what Colorado voters said “NO” to by overwhelming majorities in the last two elections. Luckily, neither bill made it past the Senate Judiciary committee.
• Senate Memorial 003 would have put Colorado on record as supporting far-reaching federal legislation to allow any employer to refuse to provide any type of insurance coverage for their employees for any moral objection. Luckily, it did not clear the Senate.

“Yet the 2012 legislative session wasn’t all wins for women and families in Colorado. Senate Bill 93, a patient right-to-know measure, was defeated by the House. This bill would have ensured that patients know what services may or may not be available to them when entering health care facilities including the availability of sexual and reproductive health care services.

“PPRM also joined our coalition partners in dismay and disappointment over the demise of the Colorado Civil Union Act during the special session.

“While the legislative session is over, our work is far from done. This fall we anticipate Colorado voters will see a third attempt to establish ‘personhood’ through proposed initiative 46.

“Colorado voters have already overwhelmingly defeated two similar fetal ‘personhood’ ballot initiatives in the 2008 and 2010 elections, rejecting the measures by 3-to-1 margins both times. Through back-to-back defeats, Coloradans have recognized that giving fertilized eggs full legal rights would lead to harmful consequences like allowing politicians to intrude in difficult, private, personal, moral, and medical decisions best left to a woman in consultation with her doctor, her family, and her faith.

“In the coming weeks, Coloradans should look for PPRM’s Pledge to Oppose campaign which will remind Colorado voters that this third effort is exactly identical to the first two attempts. PPRM will ask voters to make their personal pledge to oppose this measure for a third time.

“Historically, Colorado has been a state that votes in favor of trusting women. We will do all we can to keep it that way.”

Gay men in Denver, find out what Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains has to offer

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Hey, gay guys - Here's what Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains can do for you!

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Get Yourself Tested - Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains participating in National Campaign Encouraging Young People to “GYT” During STD Awareness Month

To help reduce the alarming rate of sexually transmitted diseases among young people in the U.S., Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is joining with MTV, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to encourage youth to GYT — Get Yourself Tested — during National STD Awareness Month in April.

One of two sexually active young people will get a STD by age 25—and most won’t know it. Additionally, 1 in 5 Americans living with HIV doesn't know it. The CDC recommends everyone get tested for HIV/AIDS each year as a matter of routine health care. When left untreated, STDs can increase the risk of HIV infection, infertility, and cancer.

 

In 2010, a total of 1,307,893 cases of sexually transmitted chlamydia were reported to the CDC. This is the largest number of cases ever reported to CDC for any condition. In the same report[1], Colorado is ranked 28^th for chlamydia infections and 35^th for gonorrhea infections.

 

The good news is that through testing many STDs can be treated.

 

“The GYT campaign is a youthful, empowering social movement to reduce the spread of STDs among young people through information, open communication with partners, health care providers, and parents, and testing and treatment as needed,” said Amy Dickson, vice president of clinical operations for PPRM.

 

This year, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains will offer $10 STD testing for gonorrhea and chlamydia and $10 Rapid HIV testing at most of its health centers on April 24 and 27. Alternative testing dates will be made available at certain locations to accommodate hours of operation.

 

“STDs often have no symptoms; so many people who are infected don't know it. Getting tested is simply a basic part of staying healthy,” said Dickson. “Lack of information, misconceptions, and social stigma keep many young people from getting tested for STDs, but people should know that testing is easier than ever before. Rapid HIV tests can provide results in as little as 10 minutes from a simple finger prick.”

 

Additionally, GYT will officially kickoff in Denver on April 19 with a concert hosted by Planned Parenthood at 3 Kings Tavern featuring local bands. Planned Parenthood will also mark the month by conducting outreach on college campuses and engaging people through its social networks.

 

 

Find out more after the jump!

What can Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains do for you?

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

What can Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains do for you?

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Planned Parenthood Statement on Anniversary of the Affordable Care Ac

Statement by Vicki Cowart, CEO and president of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, on Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act

"This week, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, along with our supporters, celebrate the second anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the biggest advance in women's health in a generation.

"Women across the country and in Colorado are applauding President Obama for groundbreaking legislation that promotes and protects the health of women by ensuring coverage of preventive care, such as lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control and immunizations with no co-pays; the end of discriminatory practices against women, such as charging women higher premiums and denying coverage for 'pre-existing conditions'; and the expansion coverage for young adults by allowing them to stay on their parents' health plan until age 26; among many other benefits.

"Unfortunately, politicians opposed to protecting women’s health want to take away these health care benefits and repeal the ACA.  If they had their way, more women would be uninsured, medical discrimination against women would be legal again, and women would once again be forced to pay more for health care and get less for their money than men.

“This is why PPRM is a proud supporter of Know Your Care, an organization dedicated to educating the American people about the Affordable Care Act’s life-saving consumer and patient protections.  Tomorrow, Friday, March 23, PPRM will join Know Your Care and other partner organizations in presenting a roundtable discussion about the Affordable Care Act and how it affects women.  Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Anna Benyo of the National Women’s Law Center, Diane Carman from the UCD School of Public Affairs, and a mother whose son has pre-existing condition will share their views and perspectives on how the Affordable Care Act is protecting women’s health.

"We cannot go backwards.  That's why we are engaged in an effort to educate the public about the benefits of the ACA and to protect women's health and protect the law."

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains for gay men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Planned Parenthood responds to advance of HB-1130

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains CEO and President Vicki Cowart Responds to the Vote on House Bill 12-1130 : “It is disappointing to see the Colorado House advance a bill that if passed, would harm women and limit the health care services they currently depend on.  

“Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains supports existing Colorado laws that already prohibit and severely punish criminal acts that result in the termination of a woman’s pregnancy. We also denounce violence against women. Unfortunately, this bill will not prevent violence against pregnant women. It will, however, open the door to difficult constitutional issues Colorado voters resoundingly rejected in the 2008 and 2010 elections when Amendments 48 and 62, the so-called “personhood” amendments, were defeated.

“Colorado voters have clearly spoken on this issue and know that such measures under the guise to help women are actually harmful to women. Even the lawmakers behind this measure made it clear in today’s committee hearing that they have no desires to protect pregnant women through this bill.

“Planned Parenthood will continue to advocate for the defeat of HB-1130 when it moves to the Senate.”

Find out what PPRM can do for you

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

PPRM News: March 12th Rally to Protect Women’s Health at Colorado Capitol

In response to the increased and inflammatory rhetoric at the local and federal level surrounding women’s health, concerned members of the community including legislators, doctors, and faith organizations will gather on March 12 from 11 am -12 pm on the West steps of the Colorado Capitol for a Rally to Protect Women’s Health.

The event, hosted by Protect Families, Protect Choice and Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, is an opportunity for the public to take a stand for women’s health and have their voices heard.

“Where it used to be Roe that anti-choice politicians railed against, now it’s also birth control, access to health care, and a woman’s right to privacy.  It is 2012!  These issues should not be in question,” said President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Vicki Cowart.  “Each day we hear from people who are clearly frustrated; debates in 2012 about birth control and restricting women’s access to health care undermines decades of progress.”

Nationally, we have seen everything from attempts to defund preventive health care programs for women to proposed legislation that would allow any employer to refuse to insure any health service they morally object to.

Now the same sort of over-reaching attacks on women’s access to health care have made their way into our own backyard.

In Colorado, a floor vote on HB 1130 is highly anticipated and expected to take place soon.  This bill would create fetal “personhood” by creating a new class of victim for a fetus.

Colorado voters overwhelming defeated two similar fetal “personhood” ballot initiatives in the 2008 and 2010 elections, rejecting the measures by 3-to-1 margins both times.  Coloradans recognized that this idea could have far-reaching and undesirable consequences like prohibiting medical care for which a woman has consented—including abortion and in vitro fertilization.

But just this week the Colorado Supreme Court decided that it will allow Personhood Colorado to move forward in placing a third “personhood” measure on the Colorado ballot again this election season.  This means that for the third time Colorado voters will be presented with an anti-choice, anti-woman, anti-family measure that will insert politicians, the courts, and lawyers into the most personal and private medical decisions women in consultation with their doctors and families make every single day.

“No wonder women and men who support women’s health, have been asking themselves, ‘what is going on,’” said Cowart.  
 
It’s time to take a stand, and the PFPC coalition encourages any concerned member of the public to join us on Monday, March 12.  We will rally to protect women’s health and our voices will be heard.  We will send a strong message to our state’s lawmakers—stop the war on women!

Event Details
WHAT:             Rally to Protect Women’s Health
WHEN:             Monday, March 12, 11 am -12 pm
WHERE:           West steps of the Colorado Capitol (Lincoln & Colfax)
WHO:               Speakers to be announced
WHY:                It’s time to take a stand and protect women’s health!

Pro-Choice Lobby Day tomorrow!

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains invites the public to attend the annual Pro-Choice Lobby Day hosted with the Protect Families Protect Choice coalition. Pro-Choice Lobby Day is an educational, informative experience that offers participants a hands-on and behind-the-scenes look at how the legislative process works.


The purpose of this year’s Lobby Day is to give participants an opportunity to meet with their legislator and talk about the importance of protecting access to sexual and reproductive health care for women and men.

Unfortunately, some politicians are proposing onerous restrictions on women, and, in some instances, backdoor bans on women’s access to abortion care in the state through HB1130. The bill would declare a fertilized egg a “person” capable of being the independent victim of a criminal offense.

In 2008 and again in 2010, Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected the idea that a fertilized egg could be a legal “person.” They recognized that this idea could have far-reaching and undesirable consequences, such as limiting health care services. Creating a new class of victim will not prevent violence against pregnant women. It will, however, open the door to difficult constitutional issues even though Colorado voters have resoundingly rejected “personhood” ballot initiatives – twice.

At the federal level where the future of reproductive health care hangs in the balance; participants will be reminding their lawmakers that they don’t want to see the politics inserted into women’s health in Colorado.


Any interested member of the public who support women’s health and reproductive choice can RSVP online at http://bit.ly/A3P4ig. For more information please contact Mary Bogus at Mary.Bogus@pprm.org or 303-813-7776 .

Statement by Planned Parenthood on the defeat Sen. Roy Blunt’s proposal to undermine women's health

Statement by Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, on the recent defeat in the Senate of Sen. Roy Blunt’s proposal to undermine health insurance and deny women birth control coverage:

NOTE: The U.S. Senate defeated the Blunt amendment by a vote of 51-48.

“This is an important victory. Today’s vote says that your boss won’t be able to decide which prescriptions you can get filled and which medical procedures you can have.

“For women, this vote is an important victory for covering contraception just like other preventive health care. The birth control benefit is critically important for millions of women, who have watched the debate over this benefit with disappointment and bewilderment.

“Today the U.S. Senate stood up for women’s health and basic health care, and defeated this extreme proposal that would have allowed any corporation or health plan to refuse to cover any health care service they object to, such as cancer screenings, maternity care, HIV/AIDS treatments and others.

“A wide range of health care groups, including the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Spina Bifida Association joined Planned Parenthood in opposing this dangerous proposal.

“Colorado is one of 28 states that already require contraception coverage in health insurance plans similar to the new federal rule, thanks to House Bill 1021 signed into law by Gov. Bill Ritter in 2010. The federal rule is consistent with Colorado law, which already requires contraception coverage in health insurance plans.
“As a trusted health care provider to one in five women in America, Planned Parenthood believes that women, regardless of where they work, should have access to health insurance that covers preventive health care, including birth control, with no co-pays.

“The Blunt amendment would have rolled back an enormously popular benefit and undermined a fundamental principle of the health care law — that everyone in this country deserves a basic standard of health insurance coverage.”

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains for gay men

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.

Advertiser Shout Out: Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains provides services for gay men including STD Testing and Treatment, HIV Testing and Education, Prostate and Testicular Cancer Screenings, and Education and Referrals.