A Sea of Pink

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 Planned Parenthood supporters from all over Texas flocked to the state’s Capitol sporting all shades of pink--the organization's official color.  Hundreds of men and women rallied for reproductive rights and lobbied with state legislators.  I volunteered at the event, helping with set-up, registration and photography, and made contact with four Texas legislators.  

My lobby team respectfully rebutted opposition while speaking with Representative Harvey Hilderbran's staff.  Their main concern seemed to be tackling the budget deficit issues by cutting funding on reproductive healthcare.  Apparently, the sexual health of America's lower income men and women is not high on the party's totem pole.  Nonetheless, they were surprisingly receptive when informed that human sexuality education and pregnancy prevention actually saves money in the long run.  For every public dollar invested in family planning, taxpayers save nearly $4.

Hopefully, appealing to conservatives pocketbooks will prove an effective strategy increasing support in the House and Senate for other related women's health bills such as S.B. 348.

Further information on the topic:

"Why Republicans Should Support Planned Parenthood"

Planned Parenthood Saves Money in Indiana

KVUE's Story on Planned Parenthood's Day at the Texas Capitol

Videos and Photos of Planned Parenthood-Texas Lobby Day