Research has repeatedly shown that abstinence only sex education both fails to prevent teen pregnancy and STIs, and leaves young people with inaccurate sexuality information. Public opinion polls have been overwhelmingly in favor of removing abstinence only sex education. President Obama’s budget plan in May reflected both scientific and popular opinions of abstinence-only sex education, as funding for these programs was removed for 2010 with resources set to be directed towards comprehensive teen pregnancy prevention.
But the end to the abstinence-only sex education era was unnecessarily put on hold as Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) proposed a renewal of abstinence-only sex education for the next 5 years at a cost of $250 million. The proposal, an addition to the ongoing health care reform bill, passed through the Senate Finance Committee with a 12-11 vote in its favor. Debates will now begin between Senator Hatch’s proposal and a comprehensive sex education policy proposed by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) that won a 14-9 vote from the Senate Finance Committee.
The Sexuality Education Month of Action is an opportunity for young people and their allies to speak out and support honest and accurate sexuality education programs. Numerous organizations around the country are giving their support to grass-roots organizers who are trying to educate their communities about the need for better sexuality education. Here are some of the ways you can get involved:
- Learn about the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act. The REAL Act provides funding for comprehensive, age appropriate sexuality education. Unlike abstinence-only sex education, that provides flawed and inaccurate information, the REAL Act is designed to give young people the necessary facts and skills to help them make informed decisions about their sexuality. Fact sheets about the REAL Act are available through SIECUS and Advocates For Youth.
- Contact your elected officials and let them know that comprehensive sexuality education is a necessary part of healthcare reform. Sign the petition in favor of the REAL Act as well as the petition against Senator Hatch’s $250 million abstinence-only program.
- Support events in your community and organize one of your own. Siecus is providing a list of upcoming events in support of comprehensive sex education across the country. You can have your own event listed by providing information about the event along with the exact date, location, and time of the event, a contact organization and phone number or email to pmalone@siecus.org. Get your congregation involved by sending in postcards showing support for comprehensive sexuality education to the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Get involved in Sex Ed Action Month and help ring in a new era of open and accurate sexuality information.
