Let’s be honest, sex education courses don’t always cover the awkward, sometimes embarrassing and potentially dysphoric experiences individuals can have during a routine wellness exam. As a result, the importance of certain tests and procedures gets lost in the mix, even though Pap Tests are one of the most significant and life-saving tests individuals with cervixes can have.
As a cisgender white lesbian, I have a fair amount of privilege under my belt and it’s time to use it to elevate the voices of others and promote a truly wonderful cause. While I may have access to a Pap smear exam with relative comfort, other LGBTQIA+ individuals and those who have cervixes may not. Misinformation and guideline changes actively contribute to why someone may or may not receive a Pap smear as well, despite the widespread adoption of Pap smears and screening decreasing the ranking of cervical cancer from the 1st deadliest form of cancer for individuals who have a cervix to the 14th!
…Everyone regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation should have access to safe and affordable Pap screenings.