D
own the student-tenanted Piedmont Avenue, among Georgia State housing lies the Citizen’s Trust Bank building.
Inside, there are different places of business on each floor. On suite 800, Georgia State students and residents have access to the Downtown location of Planned Parenthood, which offers priceless aid of various health care services to those in need.
“Planned Parenthood Southeast believes in the fundamental right of each individual to manage his or her fertility, regardless of the individual’s income, marital status, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, national origin or residence,” said Nora Spencer, Planned Parenthood’s vice president of external affairs. “We believe that respect and value for diversity are essential to our well-being.”
With roots going back to 1916, Planned Parenthood is a non-profit voice for pro-choice legislation advocacy, intersectional feminism, comprehensive sex education and affordable health care. At the Downtown site, citizens have been treated for 50 years.
Across the country, Planned Parenthood is picketed. However, thousands of supporters and patients are what keeps Planned Parenthood strong.
The Downtown location offers non-judgmental, confidential and affordable services related to sexual health, and is within walking distance for students.
“[The] primary benefit to a Planned Parenthood health center being located close to campus is convenience,” Spencer said. “We offer another option to Georgia State students to help them stay healthy and safe.”
This year, Planned Parenthood’s Southeast locations received 753 education sessions and 18,289 patients. This may be due to Planned Parenthood’s policy, which advocates for public health and the privacy of its patients.
“We believe that reproductive self-determination must be voluntary and preserve the individual’s right to privacy,” Spencer said. “We advocate for public policies which guarantee these rights and ensure access to such services to provide educational programs which enhance understanding of individual and societal implications of human sexuality,”
No matter the service and advocacy that Planned Parenthood takes out for the community, the tendentious nature of abortion clouds their image rather than highlighting it.
“Abortion is a deeply personal and often complex decision. It’s best made by a woman for herself,” Spencer said. “It is her situation alone where she knows what she needs and can accomplish. We’re not in her shoes. Only she can say what’s right for her health and well being.”
And though Downtown’s Planned Parenthood does not offer abortion services, patients can go to the organization’s website at plannedparenthood.com to find a location.
“Planned Parenthood staff provide a patient with accurate information about all of her options and support her in making her own decision based on what she believes is best for her health and well-being,” Spencer said. “Some people only associate us with abortion, but Planned Parenthood offers so much more.”
Get taken care of: Services
Check out the following services offered at Downtown’s Planned Parenthood:
