Lilac has been with Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains (PPRM) for almost three years — as both a patient and a staff member — creating a safe, affirming space for everyone who walks through our health center doors. This is a look into her story:
It’s such important work to be doing — especially in this time in history. I feel called to it. I get to show up to work every day and help people better their lives. There are a lot of emotions that surround this work, but it is truly inspiring and wonderful. It is tremendously important to me that I know I am here providing critical services to people who need critical services.
Before I started working here, I had never been inside a Planned Parenthood. I knew we did abortion care and gender-affirming care, and that was about it. Now, I’ve been here for almost three years.
Every day, we’re seeing patients coming from out of state for abortion care. We are still seeing trans patients in a time when trans people are under a tremendous national spotlight. For me, my trans identity is a driving force for every patient I interact with. I’m not only a staff member — I’m a patient here too. I come to PPRM for my own gender-affirming hormone therapy. It’s so important that I’m on both sides of the counter. I want to provide the care that I get when I walk into a health center.
There’s comfort in knowing that this organization knows how to care for trans patients and staff. When I walk into one of our health centers and I see a trans person behind the counter, I feel reassured. I know we’re in this together. And I’m sure it reassures our trans patients too — to see someone who’s out and visibly trans — you can breathe a little easier.
Growing up in a conservative area in the Midwest, I didn’t know any trans people until college. You drive through the suburbs of any major city, and there’s a chance folks have never met someone like me. That’s why it’s so important to hear trans stories. It helps people realize we’re not all that different. We have lives and stories, just like anyone else. The only difference is we synthesize our hormones instead of making our own.
Abortion care and gender-affirming care meet at the intersection of bodily autonomy. The right to say, “I can do what I want with my body because it’s the only body I have.” I should be able to walk into a health center and say, “Hi, I’d like estrogen, please,” or “I’d like an abortion, please,” with the same ease as getting a tattoo or piercing.
We’re not going to get out of this by turning against each other. The only way forward is side by side. Look to the person next to you, pick up a shovel, and say, “We’ve got some work to do.”
Health care is not going anywhere. No matter who’s in office, people will still need abortions. People will still need hormones. People will still need birth control. My advice? Set aside your differences. Give back. Do the work. We need each other.
This Pride season, join Lilac in building a stronger, more connected community by sharing your own story. When we speak up about abortion care, gender-affirming care, and what it means to truly care for one another, we create space for others to do the same. Submit your story today at stories@pprm.org or on our site here. Learn more on our Website.
This feature was proudly produced in partnership with Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.