What does it really mean to provide gender-affirming care? And why is it under such intense political attack? In this powerful episode of Advocacy in Action, host Lauren Blauvelt (Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio) is joined by Dr. Bhavik Kumar (Chief Medical Officer) and Danielle Firsich (Director of Public Policy) for a comprehensive conversation about gender-affirming care—what it is, who it serves, and why access matters now more than ever.

Dr. Kumar explains that gender-affirming care is both a way of providing care and a range of services that affirm a person's gender identity—from inclusive intake forms and welcoming physical spaces to hormone therapy and referrals. Danielle outlines the hostile legislative landscape in Ohio, including the ban on gender-affirming care for minors, the lack of statewide non-discrimination protections, and the chilling effect these laws create. Together, they make the case that bodily autonomy is bodily autonomy—whether it's abortion care or gender-affirming care—and that we are stronger when we stand together.

Key Topics Discussed:

What gender-affirming care means: affirming care from the moment someone interacts with a health center.

The clinical aspects: hormone therapy options, individualized care, and meeting patients where they are.

The importance of creating welcoming, safe spaces for trans and non-binary patients.

The political landscape in Ohio: bans on gender-affirming care for minors, trans sports bans, bathroom bans, and "parental rights" bills.

Ohio's lack of statewide non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ folks.

The chilling effect of anti-trans legislation: people pausing or stopping care due to fear and societal pressure.

The connection between attacks on abortion access and attacks on gender-affirming care.

Why bodily autonomy is bodily autonomy—and why we must stand together.

Cisgender people access gender-affirming care too (plastic surgery, Viagra, hair plugs, etc.).

The reality of de-transition: almost always due to social pressure, not regret.

How Planned Parenthood is expanding access through in-person care and telehealth.

The importance of allies showing up and learning alongside the community.

Guest Information:

Lauren Blauvelt, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio

Dr. Bhavik Kumar, Chief Medical Officer, Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio

Danielle Firsich, Director of Public Policy, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio

Website: ppao.org

Text CARE to 22422 to get involved

Relevant Links:

Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio: plannedparenthood.org

Follow Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio on social media

Volunteer opportunities and election work with Planned Parenthood Votes Ohio

What happens when the personal becomes political—and the political becomes deeply personal? In this heartfelt and timely episode of Advocacy in Action, host Lauren Blauvelt (Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio) sits down with Ainslee Johnson Brown—co-founder of Ohioans Against Extremism, policy analyst, and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community.

Together, they explore the intersection of personal identity and movement work, the joys and challenges of being in a same-sex marriage while fighting for reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights in Ohio, and the importance of protecting joy and connection in the midst of relentless political attacks. Ainslee shares her journey from corporate finance to law school to advocacy, the founding of Ohioans Against Extremism, and the urgency of the marriage equality ballot initiative in Ohio. She also opens up about the importance of boundaries, therapy, and intentional relationship-building—lessons learned through hard-won experience.

Key Topics Discussed:

Ainslee's journey from corporate finance and risk management to law school and advocacy work.

The founding of Ohioans Against Extremism: holding politicians accountable by naming names and tracking bad deeds.

Why the work of advocacy and the work of holding politicians accountable often require different strategies.

The personal stakes: being in a same-sex marriage in Ohio while Obergefell remains vulnerable.

Moving a wedding up six months when Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed to the Supreme Court.

The marriage equality ballot initiative in Ohio and the urgency of protecting LGBTQ+ families.

The synergy between policy and communications: how strategic thinking meets storytelling.

The importance of boundaries, therapy, and intentional relationship-building in sustaining advocacy work.

The real-world consequences of political attacks: a friend falsely accused of Medicaid fraud lost his job and reputation.

Pride Month: celebrating joy while acknowledging the ongoing fight.

Planned Parenthood's role as a provider of gender-affirming care and LGBTQ+ health services.

Guest Information:

Lauren Blauvelt, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio

Ainslee Johnson Brown, Co-Founder, Ohioans Against Extremism

Website: ppao.org

Text CARE to 22422 to get involved

Did you know that only 3-4% of individuals who could benefit from menopause hormone therapy actually receive it? In this eye-opening episode of Advocacy in Action, host Lauren Blauvelt (Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio) sits down with Holly Baumberger (Senior Director of Clinical Product Development and family nurse practitioner) to demystify menopause and perimenopause, explore why midlife care has been so neglected, and explain how Planned Parenthood is stepping up to fill the gap.

Holly walks us through the basics—what perimenopause and menopause actually mean—and dives into the history that shaped today's care landscape. She explains how the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study was widely misunderstood, leading to an 80% drop in hormone therapy prescribing and a generation of patients left to suffer through hot flashes, insomnia, brain fog, depression, and sexual dysfunction. Two decades later, we now know the study was misapplied, and Planned Parenthood is leading the charge to offer evidence-based, individualized menopause care—both in-person and via telehealth.

Key Topics Discussed:

*Defining perimenopause ("the time around menopause") and menopause (12 months after final menstrual period).

*The historical context of menopause care and the 2002 Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study.

*How media headlines caused fear and an 80% drop in hormone therapy prescribing.

*Why the WHI study was misunderstood: participants averaged age 63 (more than a decade past menopause).

*The "timing hypothesis": starting hormone therapy within 10 years of menopause or before age 60 offers a favorable risk-benefit profile.

*The real consequences of untreated menopause: bone density loss, insomnia, brain fog, depression, sexual dysfunction.

*Only 3-4% of eligible individuals currently use hormone therapy (down from 30-40% pre-2002).

*The shift from "HRT" (hormone replacement therapy) to "MHT" (menopause hormone therapy)—treating symptoms, not replacing to pre-menopause levels.

*Why many medical programs stopped teaching menopause care (the attitude: "if we can't treat it, why teach it?").

*How Planned Parenthood is offering menopause care at Toledo, Youngstown, and Rocky River locations, plus via telehealth across Ohio.

*The future: by 2060, 90 million individuals will be aged 50 and above—the need for care is only growing.

Guest Information:

Lauren Blauvelt, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio

Holly Bomberger, Senior Director of Clinical Product Development, Family Nurse Practitioner, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio

Website: ppao.org

Text CARE to 22422 to get involved

Relevant Links:

Make an appointment at Planned Parenthood for menopause care

Follow Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio on social media

Donate at ppao.org