PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Community College of Philadelphia is launching a new Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and, with it, introducing a new reproductive health vending machine.
On Tuesday, Trish and Chuck were checking out the new machine on CCP’s campus — aptly called “The Health Jawn.”
Stocking a variety of products, including period products, condoms, pregnancy tests, STD and HIV test kits and other essential health care items — all free to students — it’s a one-stop shop for express health care needs.
“Now how cool does that machine look?” said Kelly Lake, who manages the new Gender and Sexuality Resource Center.
“Having it here as a resource for students, to be able to go and get what they need without additional hurdles, is what it’s all about.”
CCP student Asalah Ivrahim, says it’s more than convenient — it’s necessary.
“Sometimes you’re just on a whim and you don’t have a tampon or pad on you and now you can just grab one.”
The new resource center combines the college’s women’s center and its LGBTQ center “to make a more inclusive and welcoming hub at the college,” said educator and health care advocate Melissa Fogg.
She says, despite recent encroachment on women’s health and queer and transgender communities, the college supports its students.
“The political climate being what it is, we are thrilled to widen access to reproductive health care for our students,” said Fogg.
City Councilmember Rue Landau, who was at the launch, said “Not only is it supporting reproductive health, but it is also about gender equity as well. This is for everybody.”