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.

View this post on Instagram

Hello everyone! Today, I’d like to talk about something incredibly important for individuals who have a cervix-it’s time to get real and talk about genital health. 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 Smears 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! @protectthepap is an incredibly wonderful organization that works to spread awareness and educate others on the importance of Pap smears and screenings to keep the numbers down and to save the lives of cervix-owning folx all around! Everyone regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation should have access to safe and affordable Pap screenings. #ProtectThePap , and be sure to check out the @protectthepap page for more information on Pap smears and to read other people’s experiences with the test and how it can truly save lives! This post was paid for by Protect The Pap, who closely works with microinfluencers and supports LGBTQIA+ and POC voices on this incredibly important issue!

A post shared by 🍰girls girls girls girls🍰 (@bekah.jpg) on