Politics, Sex, and Cocktails
Reproductive rights are on the ballot! Anti-abortion activists won't stop at abortion rights—they're coming for IVF, gender affirming care and contraception too.
Make your voice heard and show up for Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest at our inaugural Politics, Sex, and Cocktails event on September 13.
To learn more, visit voteforchoice.org/politics.
To donate, visit voteforchoice.org/campaign.
Acknowledging the Second Anniversary of the Detrimental Dobbs Decision:
June 24, 2024 marked two years since the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization to overturn Roe v. Wade and reverse nearly 50 years of precedent and protection.
This devastating ruling eliminated the constitutional right to abortion across the country; leaving individual states the power to regulate aspects of abortion not protected by federal law. Indeed, as of May 2024, 21 states across the nation have either banned or eliminated access to abortion entirely. What has become clear in the two years since this ruling is that these are strategic legislative and legal attacks fueled by an anti-abortion agenda, focused on denying people the right to make the choices that are best for their health and lives.
While we know that the “right” to abortion has never been enough to guarantee access to it, we continue to see the devastating ripple effect of this supreme court decision – with new bans taking effect, and a slew of lawsuits and ballot measures pending across the country.
Riverside County: “I Stand With Planned Parenthood” Press Conference Recognized the Second Anniversary of Detrimental Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Decision
On Thursday, June 20, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest hosted a press conference in the City of Riverside to commemorate the Second Anniversary of the detrimental Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which reversed nearly 50 years of precedent and protection to abortion in the United States. This harmful decision fundamentally re-shaped the landscape of abortion rights in the United States.
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest was joined by United States Representative Mark Takano, Riverside City Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, Corona City Councilmember Jacque Casillas, and community partners Riverside County National Organization for Women (NOW) and TruEvolution, to discuss the ongoing impact of eliminating the constitutional right to abortion access across the country, and the latest efforts to protect access to abortion in in the State of California.
View photos from the Riverside press conference here.
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest press conference in Riverside.
San Diego County: I Stand With Planned Parenthood” Press Conference Recognized the Second Anniversary of Detrimental Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Decision
On Monday, June 24, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest hosted a press conference in San Diego to commemorate the second anniversary of the detrimental Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
At the San Diego press conference, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest was joined by California's Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus Toni Atkins, San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott, San Diego Unified School District Trustee Sabrina Bazzo, and community partners The LGBT Center, San Diego Pride, Reproductive Freedom for All, and the North County Womxns March.
View photos from the San Diego press conference here.
Buffer Zone Ordinance in San Diego:
On June 24, San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott introduced an update to the City of San Diego’s Buffer Zone Ordinance. The updated protection aims to ensure that patients can access health care services without fear of intimidation or obstruction, and maintain their safety and privacy during their visit.
A buffer zone regulates certain types of activity within a designated distance from the entrance of a health center facility. It helps protect patients from harassment, hostility, and intimidation when seeking health care. It can be especially helpful for patients seeking sensitive services like abortion care
At Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest, we understand that it is essential that all people seeking access to any of Planned Parenthood’s services – from birth control to cancer screenings to abortion to STI testing – feel safe to do so.
San Diego County Board of Supervisors Proclamation:
On Thursday, June 25, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors proclaimed June 25th as “Planned Parenthood Day” in San Diego County. Thank you to Board Chair Nora Vargas for presenting us with this proclamation and for continuing to champion reproductive health and rights in San Diego County.
Of the honor, Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund of the Pacific Southwest says:
“We are truly grateful to Chairwoman Nora Vargas and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for this honor Declaring today “Planned Parenthood Day” and for shining a light on our efforts to serve our communities with the high-quality and compassionate health care and information they need and deserve.
We are also extremely grateful for our staff who day-in and day-out offer exceptional care for patients seeking sexual and reproductive health care – from STI testing and treatment to cancer screenings, abortion, gender-affirming health care, and more.
We are fortunate to have such strong reproductive rights champions across San Diego County who time and time again show us what it looks like to stand strong in support of these values, so that we can continue to serve our patients and communities.
Our vision at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest is simple – to help build a world where sexual and reproductive rights are basic human rights, and where every person has the opportunity to choose their own path to a healthy and meaningful life. We will always support everyone’s right to make their own decisions about their health, lives, and futures."
Planned Parenthood Action Fund staff and volunteers receiving Proclamation.
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest Announces Leadership Transition:
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest President and CEO Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson has announced she will be stepping down from her role after 18 years of service and dedication. Darrah’s time with the organization was marked by unprecedented social and political change. She led the organization through challenging moments with strength and thoughtfulness, including the fall of Roe v. Wade and the rise of anti-abortion legislation. Under her leadership, PPPSW saw 200% organizational growth and expanded access to care in Imperial Valley, Hemet, Murrieta, Corona and all throughout San Diego.
Darrah has dedicated her time and talents to Planned Parenthood’s mission for over three decades, never wavering from her commitment to our patients and communities. She leaves us with a strong and capable organization ready to build on her accomplishments.
Over the next several months, a CEO Search Committee will work to select our next great leader, and Darrah Johnson will remain in her role until a successor has been hired. We remain grateful for Darrah’s visionary and compassionate leadership and wish her all the best in her next chapter.
Statement from Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest:
“After careful thought, I have decided the time has come for me to transition out of my role as CEO at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest. Serving Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest for the last 18 years has been the honor of a lifetime. I am profoundly grateful for the relationships and experiences that have shaped my professional and personal life, and the opportunity to have learned from and worked alongside so many of you in service to this critical mission. Our work is far from over, and with your continued support, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest will enter our next chapter with resilience and hope."
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