Inside Planned Parenthood’s Push For Gender-Neutral Language

In March, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America launched Spot On, a free period tracker and birth control planner developed by Planned Parenthood’s Digital Products Lab. Like many such apps, it allows users to track their physical symptoms, moods, and birth control use. But what makes Spot On unusual is that it’s aimed at anyone who menstruates — not just women.

The app discusses body symptoms and birth control, which may include “sore breasts” and reminders like “take your pill,” but doesn’t assume that the person with the breasts or the pills is a woman. Instead, it speaks directly to the user as “you.” There are no pink flowers and there is no gendered language. (There is, however, a dinosaur. On the moon.)

“Our patients and supporters don’t comprise any one identity, especially when it comes to periods, menstrual cycles, or sexual or reproductive health,” says Jenny Friedler, director of Planned Parenthood’s digital products lab.

And Spot On is only the latest and most visible development in Planned Parenthood’s efforts to use inclusive language across its programs.

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Planned Parenthood is often thought of by the public as a women’s health provider. But it isn’t really a women’s health group — Planned Parenthood has provided…