Katy Perry was With Her throughout the presidential election. Katy was so pro-Hillary that Katy was actually one of Hillary Clintonâs first celebrity endorsers, and Katy appeared numerous times at Clinton events, fundraisers and more. I said several times during the past year how much I admired Katyâs willingness to go full-throttle for HRC, especially since I have no doubt that Katy probably got (and is still getting) a sh-t ton of hate from the Deplorables. Many have argued that Katy is too milquetoast, that she doesnât stand for anything other than boring, bland pop music, but she was one of the few big-name celebrities working her ass off to support Clinton, and doing so regardless of how that support might affect her bottom line, her fanbase or her image.
Katy was supposed to perform at what was supposed to be Clintonâs victory party last Tuesday. Katy was there, with Lady Gaga and Cher, backstage as the night turned sour with a hate-filled vengeance. Katy hasnât been seen since â she claimed she had a family emergency, and canceled one concert, and it wouldnât surprise me at all if it took her several days to regain her composure. So what was Katyâs first, public post-election act? An announcement of a Planned Parenthood donation. âAtta girl. Katy posted an Instagram image of PPâs donation page, with this message:
It’s time to turn words into action! There are so many steps to take, but my first vow is to support organizations that may have their funding support taken from them in the future by the government.
I am making a public donation to Planned Parenthood for the teenage me who made several visits to first a clinic in Santa Barbara and then Los Angeles, CA to educate myself on my sexual health, a subject I had little to no information on because of my sheltered upbringing. I had no idea how things worked down there, and had no idea how to make a plan for them.
Planned Parenthood educated me on my body and my reproductive health, so that I could focus on my dreams and using my voice until I knew the timing was right for me to make a plan to have a family. Since then, I have been able to focus wholeheartedly on bringing messages of strength and becoming a voice for others. Without this education, I may have had a different life path.
That is just my experience, but I know Planned Parenthood’s broader range of services can sometimes be the only medical support low-income families ever see. I know what it’s like to need help. I came from a lower- to middle-class family and never grew up with the option of health insurance. I remember having 13 cavities as a teenager, and the best option my parents could come up with was to try and take me to Mexico because we couldn’t afford anything in California.
I am grateful for and stand in support of Planned Parenthood for giving Katheryn Hudson the knowledge to plan, and for continuing to be a haven for women to learn all options for their future. Now, more than ever, we all need to protect and create safe places for each other. I hope I can help inspire you to make a gift as well, and become a member and an ally.
Granted, Iâm super-emotional these days, but this totally made me tear up. The version of Katy Perry that first came on the scene all those years ago was vapid as hell, but here she is, a major pop star, one of the most popular musical acts in the world, and this is how she recovers from a crushing political disappointment. She turns it into a positive, she uses her celebrity to once again put her money and time where her mouth is, and stand up for an issue that many find âcontroversial.â I love her for this. Sheâs become a very admirable young woman with the way sheâs uses her platform.
You too can donate to Planned Parenthood â which Donald Trump has vowed to defund â here.
Photos courtesy of Instagram, Fame/Flynet, WENN.
I’m glad she supported PP — I did, too, a couple days ago. But I do have to scoff at the 10k — this woman makes millions.
someone else respond to this. I am so tired of the hate people spew at others, even for just trying to make a difference.
Forbes Magazine estimated Perry’s net worth in 2016 at $125 million. So $10K does sound very conservative a donation, but still nice of her. God bless her.
Seriously? Other pop stars donate and everyone’s all ‘good for her’, no matter what the amount, but this one is getting flak because it’s “only” 10k?
This^^
Yes, thank you. The flak reminds me of Demi Lovato when she dissed Taylor Swift for giving Kesha money instead of “going to Capitol Hill” or whatever. Help is help and I’m sure it will be appreciated, whatever the form.
+1000 yes, yes, yes!
I’m grateful she donated.
How do you know this isn’t one of many donations she’s planning on making to other organisations that may be defunded? Or organisations that spring up to replace government programs that may be cut?
Jeepers. Honestly. That’s $10k of services funded. What the heck is not to like?
Agree, Sixer. I felt guilty because all I can do right now is register as a PP volunteer (did it Thursday), so 10K sounds positively saintly to me.
Good for Katy. Now is not the time to squabble over why someone’s good deed isn’t quite good enough.
Volunteering sounds positively saintly to me, my love. Never undersell yourself! Pick a thing you can do and do it. Doesn’t have to be money.
Time is the most precious commodity there is.
Love love love love love you guys for all of your support during this nutso crazy time.
I volunteered as a Planned Parenthood escort in college. It’s hard work, and it’s probably become more dangerous because of the Trump rhetoric/supporters. Kudos to you Shambles and be safe. Thank you for your service to the state and women everywhere.
Thank you Sixer!
I don’t get the judgement here. She’s using her platform as a celebrity for good damn it. Even if it was a thousand dollars, she still gets kudos from me.
Yes! I was thinking 100k would have been just as easy. But I feel horribly guilty for judging like that because it’s way better than what I can do
She could be donating more later or other orgs…so instead of scoffing how about you just be glad she donated.
This is why celebs don’t say anything about donations because it’s never enough for some.
I donated to 4 orgs on Friday but only mentioned two to friends. Why? Because the other orgs I donated to had every personal reasons attached that is not for social consumption. So we don’t know what else she is doing. Just be happy that she is
This probably isn’t the first or only time she’s donated to PP. Also like someone else mentioned, she probably gives money to multiple organizations every year. I don’t understand how you can judge someone when they are doing something good like this.
My cause is Earth Justice! Donald is hiring big oil billionaires to run the EPA – so for the child in me who felt God in nature- I’m putting my donation into eco litigation. We all need to step up. Katy’s example is the fight/right response.
I guess I should elaborate, when other celebrities of her financial caliber get free publicity (for themselves and the organization) for donating, usually the number is in the 500k-1mil range. If she wanted to get publicity for the organization, she could have just said “I donated to PP today and here’s where you can do the same…” Instead she put the number out there, and sent out a press release about it.
Again, why does the amount she donated matter? She didn’t have to donate at all. And she’s donating to multiple organizations that are more than likely going to be negatively affected by Trump/Pence. Why the judgement?
Comments like that make me really upset. Ten thousand dollars is a lot of money, it’s a lot more than any of us can donate. It doesn’t matter how much she makes. For you to insult the amount she’s giving makes you sound really petty. Instead of criticizing something who is donating a TON of money, why don’t you criticize those who do nothing? She didn’t have to give anything, criticize the people who have tons of money but don’t give to charity.
But if she donated a large amount, then people will feel that “oh, Katy Perry’s taken care of this.”
For all we know, it’s a recurring donation and she chose to make this one public.
This is how I feel too. She wants to spur more people into donating, it makes sense that the figure she makes public wouldn’t be huge enough to lull people into complacency.
Good for Katy. I’m sure this won’t be her last donation.
I have to agree. I support them as well, to the level of which my now status as a student will allow (and more when I am working FT), but please, KP makes MILLIONS of dollars. Cough it up sister.
“Cough it up sister.”
No. That’s a tacky sentiment right there. KP’s money belongs to KP. Not me, not you, and not Planned Parenthood. If this is the amount she felt was appropriate for this donation, so be it. Some gratitude is called for.
“Cough it up sister.”?!?!
Gross.
Show some respect.
What have you donated?
There’s usually a limit to how much you can donate in a year and still have it be tax deductible. It’s the end of the year and my guess is that this isn’t the only charitable giving she’s done, so 10k is actually pretty generous all considered.
As an outsider looking in, this kind of pettiness is part of the reason why the racist President-elect Trump is a reality. I shake my head sometimes at liberals so determined to differentiate ourselves from one another (“My cause is more precious than yours!” Or here “THIS is what you’re willing to do? Just this??”), which what makes it harder to organize as a group vs. conservatives. Why can’t you just focus on your common ground – that you both support Planned Parenthood FULL STOP.
Another type of comments that hopefully we’ll see less of “I can’t sympathise with [âŞâŞâŞâŞ] when there are children dying in Syria (just an example, don’t jump on me)!” It’s not a zero-sum game ffs.
Whenever people b**** about the amount of a donation, I always want to ask that person if it were you the one recieving $10,000 would you still be moaning about how it wasnt enough? Or would be thinking “Wow, this is going to help pay off my bills”, or “Wow, I can go on vacation with this”. That $10,000 is going to make a difference.
Good for her.
I love her for this, too. I also love an idea I saw floating around on FB yesterday — make your donation in Mike Pence’s name so he’ll be flooded with the acknowledgements.
I read on the Huffington Post that Pence is getting ready to start his anti LGBQT agenda.
That is hilarious!
I made one in Paul Ryan’s name. There are so many to choose from.
Ha, awesome. Too many too choose from, unfortunately.
I have fundamentalist x-tian parents who are misogynistic, racist homophobes and voted for Trump/Pence. This year for Christmas they are receiving a holiday card from the Earth Defense League and donations in their names to Planned Parenthood of Texas, Southern Poverty Law Center and It Get Better. I may include a t-shirt from It Gets Better too.
Haha love it!!
Thank you for the idea, Esmom! Donation made to PP in the name of Michael R. Pence, Office of the Governor, Statehouse, Indianapolis, IN 46204-2797.
I’m going to need to make another one to a LGBTQ+ organization in his name next.
Thanks so much for the info!
Great idea, thanks. But won’t this get someone in legal trouble for use of someone else’s identity? The donation can be traced to an IP address
people make donations in other people’s names all the time. Heck even couples getting married often ask for donations to be made to their favoured charity (in their name) instead of gifts. No one thinks a donation being made ‘in the name of’ Pence is actually FROM Pence, tyvm.
@Melior, the donation is still identified as coming from the people making the donation, PP needs name and billing info, but they are making the donation in someone else’s honor and that person gets a card telling them so.
I love she did this and in such a public way. Her message was spot on about why PP is so damn important.
Yesterday someone suggested donating to PP in Mike Pence’s name. The donation confirmation would then be sent to him.
How is this scheme (for lack of a better word) make Pence change his mind about Planned Parenthood? He will feel disgusted not ashamed. Pence is a right-wing conservative white male and nothing will change that.
It’s not to change his mind. It’s to say, f*ck you, assh*le, we see you and we’re ready. Just like the people protesting in the streets don’t literally think they can change the outcome of the election. They’re telling the Trump administration “we will not be silenced, and we are watching you very closely.”
These are not gestures of naivety, but solidarity.
Right on Shambles! We all have to be together in this time of great upheaval to come. Please be kind and help everyone you can. No matter the $ or time amount, just do it! I also suggest that you donate to the DNC and help get more Democrats elected to the house and senate in 2018. This is our only hope until 2020.
Yes, Shambles. The more we can get in his face with actions like this, the more it will show him people have no intention of bending to his twisted agenda. I think it’s a great way to show solidarity.
Not a KP fan , but good on her for this . What it also does is remind me how grateful I am for the NHS , and that despite all it’s problems the government here hasn’t taken that from us yet .
I know it has ups and downs, but I am so jealous of NHS! You have no idea how incomprehensible insurance plans are. Just so confusing. I’ve always thought if this had been part of the New Deal or something, it would have passed no problem in the US. Now it’s (medical care) is too much of a money maker, for both insurance companies and drug companies, which means we in the US are screwed (unless you’re super rich and I mean super rich. I knew a guy who was very seriously injured in a hit and run, and his care just to get ok enough to get around on a scooter was $5 million dollars!!!)
I feel like there are discussions about NHS being “new” in Call the Midwife (love this show so much), which leads me to believe it was not super popular at first, but ended up being such a blessing for so many
Actually a huge issue is what hospitals charge too. But because they are big employers (especially in areas where there might not be lot of jobs) no politician or lawmaker is going to go after them.
I just saw what I was charged (pre insurance) for my IUD a month ago. A short, in office procedure with my annual check up, and it was over $2k. There was a separate charge to take the old one out and a separate charge to put the new one in.
manda – here is a thing about the founding of the NHS. It could never have happened without the labour of black immigrant women (those nurses of the Windrush generation). From its founding and to this day, it relies on immigrants.
And for all Americans unconvinced by universal healthcare, tell them this: the NHS is far from perfect. But, the UK spends about half the proportion of its GDP on healthcare than the US does, and on 11 of 13 health outcomes measured by the OECD, the UK does better than the US. Universal healthcare is a no-brainer.
2k for an IUD ? God I find that almost incomprehensible… are you charged for smear tests and screening too ?
Sixer, thank you for your response, I have been curious about it’s origins, and you’ve given me something to look into. I have some research to do!
As far as outcomes being better in the UK, it’s not surprising. It seems easy to see a doctor. Here, it is not, so people put things off. Or, if they have crappy insurance, they put things off. I’m sure there are UK people that put things off, too, but the easy access has to curb a lot of that, I would think
Canada’s health care is also very good. Tommy Douglas, grandfather of Keifer Sutherland, started in Saskatchewan in the 60s the first universal health care program and other provinces soon followed. It may not be a perfect system, but if you get cancer, or get into an accident, you don’t ever have to worry about mortgaging your house to pay for hospital bills.
There may be waits for cosmetic things like knee replacements, but not for emergency or serious illness.
No politician, even the most right wing ones, would dare try to remove it. Bernie Sanders points out how much less per capita Canada spends on health compared to the US …and more importantly the difference in drug prices is noticeable too. Many Americans come to Canada to get cheaper prescription drugs.
Jayci–a lot of insurance plans cover female “wellness” checks without even a copay (obvs, because those are cheaper than treating cancer down the road) (a copay is “nominal” charge, your share of what is paid, and then the insurance pays the rest, they vary from like 5 to 35 dollars, in my experience, but I have always had fairly good benefits)
Me as well. I worked for Humana Ins for many years and I know the other side of the insurance companies. The medical community keeps raising the cost of all supplies and services, causing a domino effect which increases premiums and ultimately decreases benefits. But, all major commercial insurances that I am familiar with do allow an annual Well Woman exam complete with pap smear and mammogram, lab, etc for zero copay. Obviously, this benefit is for women who have insurance, those who will now be faced with no coverage, will need to rely on PP. We have to make sure that PP can continue to operate.
Insurance covers female wellness with out a co-pay because the Affordable Care Act requires it. Kiss that good-bye!
lightpurple–I had no idea!
Really ? My benefits are terrible. My visit was $150 and it was another $90 for a pap.
Right? I’m getting knee surgery in a few weeks and with my doctor’s visits, MRIs, specialist consult, hospital stay and the surgery it’s costing me the grand total of $80. Not to mention I only got the ball rolling on it 3 weeks ago. It’s In Australia but same thing, I really don’t know how people can have a problem with public health.
The day after the election-once I dragged myself out of bed and stopped crying- I made donations to both Planned Parenthood and Southern Poverty Law Center. It’s important that we make our voices heard in concrete ways.
It turns out, we didn’t need celebrity endorser Katy Perry. That was the last thing we needed. We needed the Kathryn Hudson who didn’t have the money to get her teeth fixed to speak up. Dang. Good for her on her donation, and good for her call to action.
We need everyone to speak up and put into action.
I’m glad she’s doing that. PP will need all the help it can get in the coming years. Anyone who’s trying to find ways to make a difference should be celebrated, whether it’s time, money, volunteering, sharing information…
I am trying not to be bothered by the amount but given what PP is up against, especially in states like mine, and how much KP makes from her music and ad endorsements, it seems like an incredibly faint gesture. Peope like KP don’t benefit from PP–poor and marginalized women do. And that’s all she will commit to them? OK but excuse me as I refrain from praising her.
This is the only one she’s made public. Otherwise, for all we know, she may be making recurring anonymous donations, and not just to PP.
It’s ten thousand more than they had previously, why can’t you just be thankful she gives a damn at all? She surely does more than your incoming government will.
Just about the only thing that has made me feel better in the last few days are the donations I’ve made to various organizations. So far six very worthy groups have gotten my money.
One website asked if I wanted my name listed on their public donor list, and I actually hesitated before clicking ‘Yes’ out of some irrational fear my name would end up on some government watch list. But click ‘Yes’ I did. This election broke my heart, and then it made me angry. No more complacency, and definitely no moving to Canada. If they want my country, they are going to have to fight me for it. #WereStillHere
Paul Newman said that his proudest moment was finding out he was on Nixon’s Enemies List. It could be a badge of honor being on trump’s enemies list.
I agree. We said 6 months ago jokingly “Oh we’ll move to Canada or Israel” cause who the hell seriously thought Trump would win. But the day after the election (once I stopped crying) and started thinking about it-this is MY country. I’m damn well going to fight for it.
That’s wonderful of Katy and I love that she shared what PP meant to her.
I foresee the public defunding of PP to be a total slam dunk in Washington, and soon, so private donations are going to be SO crucial going forward. It is hard to overstate how vilified PP is among the right who have rose to power in the past week.
I think I just forgave her for everything I dislike about her.
Please continue to be active. Active in your city or community or at the state level. If you live in a red state (or red county of your state), consider pledging allegiance to the environment or support those marginalized near you. There are many who need assurance now more than ever. We in California love our neighbors of any religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. Spread it around!
#californialove
#kamalaharrisforpresident
So who’s on the short list of Democrat politicians who can challenge Trump at the next election? Can i suggest that they be someone who is not beholden to Wall Street?
just made a donation to planned parenthood in Pence’s name, encouraging all friends to do the same ha
Thank you, Katy.
And all those who join in standing up against hate.
Me, too.
Good for her!
I also used PP while living in NJ (my college insurance was great but did not cover EVERYTHING). I had a huge cyst which was making my life impossible due to the pain and a friend drove me to PP – they did a full gynecological scan, gave me meds and told me to stop running, exercising and lifting things because I could rupture my ovary. No other clinic or doctor wanted to see me, even though I had international insurance.
I also saw men getting health care. Some had cancer. PP was their only option. I now live back home, where I have great health insurance and can use the state insurance as backup, but I’ll still donate to PP.