Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed is a coalition of educational, religious, health, social service and advocacy organizations, as well as concerned individuals that promotes lifelong healthy sexuality by advocating for policies on comprehensive sexuality education and access to confidential health care services.
We’ve Got a New Look!
The Coalition Steering Committee is pleased to announce the new name, tag line and logo for our Coalition.
Thank you all for the feedback you provided during this process. In arriving at this new image, we took into consideration the feedback of coalition members, our desire to appeal to a broader audience and research showing that the general public and policy makers resonate most strongly with the simple phrase "sex ed".
Look forward to an updated Coalition website (www.coalitionforsexed.org) that will reflect this new look in the upcoming months.
Welcome New Coalition Agency Partner
Welcome to the newest Coalition agency partner, National Council of Jewish Women – Minnesota State Public Affairs. NCJW became a Coalition agency partner in December 2007. NCJW supports the Coalitions work as a part of their Plan A initiative. To find out more about their work and mission, visit www.ncjwmpls.org. For more information on how your organization can become a Coalition partner see the membership form or contact Lorie Alveshere at lorie@moappp.org.
Minnesota Legislative Update
The 2008 legislative session will begin on Tuesday February 12, 2008. We will be back again this year moving the sex education legislation introduced in 2007. Stay tuned for further updates and developments.
What Can You Do Now?
- Attend your precinct caucus and introduce a sex ed resolution (PDF) on February 5 at 7:00pm. For more information on the caucus process and to find your caucus location, visit www.coalitionforsexed.org.
- Register for one of the Coalition training events listed below.
Coalition Trainings – 2008
February 13, 2008
Sex Ed for Life - Advocacy Skills Building Workshop
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Church Center, 122 West Franklin Avenue, Minneapolis
This year's member meeting will be an advocacy skills building event. Hear updates on the status of state and federal sexuality education and learn how to lobby decision makers about the importance of effective programs. To RSVP for this free event, contact Amy Kodet at MOAPPP at 651-644-1447 x17 or publicpolicyintern@moappp.org.
February 19, 2008
Sex Ed for Life - Capitol Lab
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
State Office Building 346
Get comfortable finding your way around the Minnesota State Capitol. This event will familiarize Coalition members with the State Capitol and the legislative process. Join us for an inside look at how the political process works. This event is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP by contacting Amy Kodet, MOAPPP Public Policy Intern at publicpolicyintern@moappp.org or 651-644-1447 x17.
April 8, 2008
Sex Ed for Life - Youth Lobby Day
12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
State Capitol Great Hall and Rotunda
Youth and their parents will learn about the legislative process and issues surrounding comprehensive sexuality education and minors' consent. Please join us for this opportunity to learn about SEFL issues, hear from advocates and legislators, and if schedules permit, meet with the legislators from your district. For more information, contact Amy Kodet at MOAPPP at 651-644-1447 x17 or publicpolicyintern@moappp.org.
In the News
Arizona Becomes 16th State to Reject Federal Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Money
Governor Janet Napolitano recently reported that Arizona will join the growing ranks of states rejecting federal dollars. Governor Napolitano in a letter to HHS officials said she believes in education that "strongly promotes abstinence" but only will accept federal funding again if it can be used for a "curriculum that provides comprehensive and medically accurate sexuality education."
San Francisco Chronicle Examines Use of Technology for Sex Education
Educators are looking at ways to use technology to reach device savvy teens. According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 90% of people ages 12 to 17 use the Internet, and more than 60% of the group use it daily. A report by Nielsen found that 35% of children ages eight to 12 own cell phones and that 20% use text messaging.
Research
Teens With Positive Attitudes Toward Delaying Sex Less Likely To Initiate Sex, Study Says
A recent study published in the January issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine reports that teenagers with positive attitudes about delaying sexual activity usually are less likely to become sexually active within the next year. Attitudes were measured using the "postponing sexual initiation" scale. The abstract of the study is available online.