Dear Progressoid,

Today, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state can bar organizations that provide or promote abortions from sex education funding in Iowa. Which means that Planned Parenthood—the largest sex education provider in the state—will be kicked out of this crucial state program.

Make no mistake: the law was designed to attack Planned Parenthood and our communities.

We have provided medically accurate, comprehensive, age-appropriate sex education for over a decade. And it works. Sex education- when done well—changes lives. It increases healthy relationships, lowers rates of unintended pregnancies, and decreases need for abortion.

Plus, more than 90 percent of parents want sex education in both middle and high school. The vast majority of parents, from all political perspectives, want this education to include topics like birth control, healthy relationships, abstinence, dating violence and assault, and sexual orientation.

Iowans deserve sex education that will help them build a healthy future. Regardless of the court’s decision, we remain committed to providing comprehensive, age-appropriate, and medically accurate sex education across the state.

We are invested in this important work to build a healthier Iowa, and this is possible only with your continued support. Whatever anti-abortion politicians throw at us, we’ll always bounce back. Thanks for being a part of this work.

In solidarity,

Jamie Burch Elliott
Director of Public Affairs
Planned Parenthood North Central States