By Samantha Manning
Planned Parenthood of Nassau County (PPNC) held an open house on Thursday at it’s Hempstead location. It included an informational dinner about the dangers of unsafe sex and the need for awareness of sexual health issues.
Guests of the educational dinner met with peaceful protesters standing outside of PPNC intending to persuade visitors that the dinner and its sponsors were morally wrong. Jack Eschmann, a representative from AAA Pregnancy Options, said that he and other protesters were there to “protect the sanctity of life.”
Eschmann and other Christian protesters held signs denouncing abortion and handed out pamphlets about their organization. According to Eschmann, AAA Pregnancy Options offers alternatives for young mothers-to-be considering abortion, includingmaternity housing, employment opportunities, adoption assistance, prenatal and postnatal care.
“We promote innocence, love and God,” Eschmann said. He added that AAA Pregnancy Options representatives frequently travel to high schools in order to encourage abstinence among teens.
Despite protesters objecting to their cause, smiling representatives of the PPNC cordially greeted guests. Pamphlets, raffle tickets and free food were all offered to the small group of attendees. Some took advantage of the free and anonymous HIV testing, while others gave their full attention to multiple guest speakers.
The first guest speaker was Dr. Michael Zuckerman, who discussed causes, symptoms and staggering statistics about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). “The key is prevention,” Dr. Zuckerman advised his guests.
In order to stress the growing epidemic of HPV, Dr. Zuckerman startled his audience by informing them that 50 percent of people having sex will eventually get HPV, which is linked to cervical cancer.
The controversial HPV vaccine Gardasil was recommended for women between the ages of 9 and 26. “As far as my own children,” Dr. Zuckerman said. “I’m definitely going to vaccinate them when they become of age.”
Physicians Assistant Jennifer Ray-Terry presented a slide show with photographs featuring patients diagnosed with various sexually transmitted diseases. Ray-Terry spoke on diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and condyloma, also known as genital warts.
Marsha Moore, a peer educator diagnosed with AIDS, told a personal tale of struggle and acceptance. Moore was a former drug abuser leading a hazardous lifestyle. After complaining about an abnormally heavy menstrual cycle and reoccurring yeast infections, Moore was tested and diagnosed with HIV before her condition eventually progressed into AIDS.
“My responsibility is to be responsible for me,” Moore said. She stressed that it is crucial to protect yourself and most importantly, “know your body.”
The final speaker, Elana Needle, a representative from the Maurer Foundation for Breast Health Education, discussed breast cancer. Her presentation included a chart that listed risk factors for breast cancer and divided them into controllable and non-controllable factors. Stepping in to clarify a widely spread rumor, Dr. Zuckerman added, “Abortion does not cause breast cancer.”
A high fat diet was among the major issues that she addressed. “We are supposed to be eating between 45-60 grams of fat a day,” Needle said. Needle also demonstrated how women should check themselves for breast cancer, using their three inner fingers.
A professor of human sexuality from Nassau Community College, Dr. David Kilmnick, brought his entire class to the informational dinner. Kilmnick said that he wanted his students “to feel safe” and even practice their right to protest and speak their minds. Kilmnick is also the executive director of the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth Center.
