Sexuality Education for Life - Minnesota Coalition
October 2006 E-Newsletter
Sexuality Education for Life - Minnesota 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.
Vote 2006!
Sexuality Education for Life - MN Coalition promotes lifelong healthy sexuality by advocating for policies on comprehensive sexuality education and access to confidential health care services.
While we do not support specific candidates or political parties, we do support your individual right to do so. Vote in the general election, November 7, 2006! This fall, every seat in the Minnesota house and senate is up for election. Find out where the candidates stand on the issues that are important to you. Visit Sex Ed for Life to access voter and candidate information resources.
Questions for the candidates
When a candidate for public office knocks on your door, calls you on the phone, or is taking questions in a public setting, be prepared to act. Here are some sample questions you can ask candidates.
Responsible Sex Education
1. What is your position on publicly funded, science-based comprehensive sexuality education in MN schools as a strategy for preventing adolescent pregnancy, STIs and HIV?
2. Do you support the teaching of responsible, age-appropriate, medically accurate sex education, including information about both abstinence and contraception in public schools in Minnesota?
3. What ideas do you have to promote adolescent sexual health?
Health Services for Minors
1. What is your position on allowing minors access to confidential health services including testing for sexually transmitted infections, access to contraception, drug and alcohol counseling and certain mental health services?
In the News
Kaiser Network reports GAO Legal Opinion, HHS Should Ensure Abstinence Education Material Used by Federal Grantees Contains Accurate Information on Condoms, STIs
How Medical Inaccuracies, Fear, and Shame in Federally Funded Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs Put Our Youth at Risk: recently released reviews of three abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula used in federally funded programs, now available at SIECUS.
Parent Opinion of Sexuality Education in a State with Mandated Abstinence Education: Does Policy Match Parental Preference? Abstract now available at the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Resources
The Impact of Sex and HIV Education Programs in Schools and Communities on Sexual Behaviors among Young Adults Now available on the Healthy Teen Network website, this report by Douglas Kirby, B.A. Laris and Lori Rolleri addresses the effects of sex and HIV education programs, characteristics of effective programs and implications for policy and practice.
A Note from Lorie
Since its inception, the SEFL – MN Coalition has sent a powerful message to Minnesota policy makers that comprehensive sexuality education standards are a cornerstone to healthy adolescence. As the new Policy Coordinator at MOAPPP, I am excited to have the opportunity to work with the Coalition. I look forward to co-convening the Coalition with Amy Brugh and Kate Nelson of the Minnesota AIDS Project, and advocating for comprehensive sexuality education and continued access to confidential care for young people.
*********************************************************************************************************
Sexuality Education for Life-Minnesota 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. Sexuality Education for Life-Minnesota is coordinated by Minnesota Organization on Adolescent Pregnancy, Prevention and Parenting and Minnesota AIDS Project
The SEFL Coalition is supported by the Ms. Foundation for Women, the Jay and Rose Phillips Family Foundation, and the Public Welfare Foundation.
For more information on the SEFL Coalition, go to Sex Ed for Life Please forward this information on to others interested in supporting the health of Minnesota youth, or encourage them to sign up themselves at Sex Ed for Life.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, email Lorie Alveshere, subject line: unsubscribe Sex Ed for Life.