Maybe it’s because it’s women’s history month or maybe it’s because they wanted to spite the lobbyist in DC for National Abstinence Lobbyist Day this week, but the new administration and newly elected Democrat controlled Congress made tremendous strides this week enacting legislation that will substantially improve women’s health (and everyone’s sexual health for that matter).
The omnibus spending bill that the Senate passed this week not only increased Title X funding and decreased funding for abstinence-only programs but it also put more money into international HIV prevention than ever before. And feminists throughout the US should celebrate because the omnibus bill also includes provisions for reducing the cost of birth control.
Not to be out done by the Senate, President Obama announced the White House Council on Women and Girls. Autumn Sandeen of Pam’s House Blend is happy to report that transwomen are included!
Since abstinence education is on the way out, you maybe wondering what we will replace it with?
Anna Quindlen is preaching to the choir in her article reminding us that the public supports comprehensive sex education in schools and that abstinence only education does not work. While Liz Langley of Alternet is exploring the notion that sex education shouldn’t be limited to teens, because adults need sex education too.
If adults don't know much about sex, they definitely can't get enough of talking about marriage.
The hearings on Proposition 8 started last week in California and the buzz keeps growing about the trial’s implications. Tracy Kronzak at racewire.com warns that upholding Proposition 8 could mean that other minority group’s civil rights could be up to popular vote in the near future. Kai Wright examines the larger relationship of gay politics and people of color. Feministing interviews Kim Ford about LGBT civil rights challenges that extend beyond Proposition 8.
Speaking of Feministing.com, conservatives have their panties in a wad over feministing contributor Jessica Valenti’s opposite-sex marriage. I guess they are adding feminists to their list of people who should be only allowed to have civil unions.
The NSRC is working hard on our faith and sexuality initiative and our sex and aging initiative, but we are not the only ones. This week Kentucky Presbyterians are voting to overturn ban on gay ministers, and the New York Times has an article on what happens what happens when your elderly father falls in love.
