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.

National Update – Federal Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funding

Recently, the U.S. Senate finally approved its fiscal year 2008 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill. The approved bill calls for a $28 million cut in the Community-Based Abstinence Education (CBAE) program. As you may recall, this summer the House of Representatives approved a $28 million increase for the CBAE program, even though a 10-year evaluation revealed that abstinence-only programs don’t work.

Now, the House and Senate have to agree on a final bill. Negotiations are moving quickly. The final bill could be on the President’s desk by November 1st.

National advocacy groups continue to push for an end to these programs. Sex Ed for Life is monitoring this issue and will keep you informed as the situation progresses.

Other Events and Opportunities

November 12, 2007
Sex Ed and the State

Coffman Theater, Coffman Memorial Union, University of Minnesota
300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis
6:30 p.m.

When a bill is supported by strong research, a surgeon general’s report, and an overwhelming majority of Americans - what happens when it’s introduced in the Minnesota state legislature? Attend this free documentary showing to learn more about the debate over the best strategy to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. To watch a one minute clip and for more information about the film, visit www.sexedmovie.com.

Join Minnesota Teens for AIDS Prevention (MN-TAP) for the 2007-2008 School Year

The Minnesota AIDS Project is looking for interested youth, ages 13-18, to apply to become a MN-TAP member for the '07-08 school year. MN-TAP members work with fellow teens to influence their awareness and knowledge about policies affecting adolescent sexual health, and to engage them as community leaders. For more information about how you can become involved, please contact Kate Nelson at kate.nelson@mnaidsproject.org or 612-373-9162. Additional information is available from the event flyer (PDF)

2008 European Study Tour

Advocates for Youth and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte are sponsoring the eighth European study tour from February 29 – March 16, 2008. The organizations will select 30 participants to explore and identify strategies, programs and policies in the Netherlands, France and Germany that have influenced adolescent sexual behavior and outcomes. Applications are due December 2, 2007. For more information, visit www.advocatesforyouth.org.

In the News

10th Circuit Court Dismisses Appeal of Ruling Against Broader Application of Law That Would Have Required Reporting of Sexual Activity of Minors

A lower courts ruling that would have required reporting was overturned. In April 2006, District Judge Thomas Marten ruled against broadening the application, saying that it would have discouraged minors from seeking counseling and medical care. For more information, visit www.kaisernetwork.org.

Minnesota Says No Thanks to No-Sex Funding

A recent article by Josephine Marcotty (PDF) highlights the Minnesota decision to not apply for Federal funding for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage programs. Advocates have long spoken out for federal and state funding that support programs backed by evidence of effectiveness, and are pleased with the state’s decision.

Speaking of Sex

A recent article by Laura Billings in the Mpls/St Paul Magazine.

New York City Department of Education Recommends 'Research-Based' Sex Education Curriculum for City High Schools

The New York City Department of Education recently announced it would recommend a research-based sex education curriculum called “Reducing the Risk” at all high schools in the city. “Reducing the Risk” encourages students to delay sexual activity and provides information about contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections. For more information, visit www.kaisernetwork.org.

New York State Declines Federal Funds for Abstinence-Only Sex Education Programs, Health Commissioner Says

New York State has rejected approximately $3.5 million in funding from the federal Title V abstinence education program and will spend the $2.6 million that the state provided for the same abstinence program on other sex education programs. "The Bush administration's abstinence-only program is an example of a failed national health care policy directive," State Health Commissioner Richard Daines said, adding that the policy is "based on ideology rather than on sound scientific-based evidence that must be the cornerstone of good public health care policy." For more information, visit www.kaisernetwork.org.

Los Angeles Times Examines Some Congressional Democrats' Support of Abstinence-Only Education

The Los Angeles Times recently examined the outlook for federally funded abstinence-only sex education programs. Although some Democrats have "long criticized the programs" for being ineffective at curbing sexually transmitted infections and teen pregnancy, the programs are "surviving attempts to shut them down" in part because of support from House Appropriations Committee Chair David Obey (D-Wis.) and other Democrats. For more information, visit www.kaisernetwork.org.

House Decision To Increase Funding for Abstinence-Only Sex Education Leaves Youths 'Vulnerable,' Opinion Piece Says

House Democratic leaders' decision to increase federal funding for abstinence-only sex education programs in order to attract Republican support for legislation that would reauthorize and expand could "leave millions of young Americans vulnerable to sickness and suffering of the most preventable kind," New York Times op-ed contributor Amanda Robb writes in a recent opinion piece. For more information, visit www.kaisernetwork.org.

NPR Examines HIV/AIDS Education on U.S. College Campuses

NPR's “Weekend Edition Sunday” recently reported on efforts to educate U.S. college students about HIV/AIDS. According to NPR, most colleges "operate on the principle that students already know about HIV." The NPR Audio of the segment is available online. For more information, visit www.kaisernetwork.org.

Resources

Myths & Facts about Sex Education

A new fact sheet from Advocates for Youth explores some of the claims that have been put forward to support federal funding for abstinence-only education rather than for comprehensive sex education.

Research

Adolescents' Discussions About Contraception or STDs with Partners Before First Sex

In this study, researchers found that youth with greater perceived condom knowledge and who communicated with their parents about everyday life were more likely to discuss contraception or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before first sex. Adolescents' Discussions About Contraception or STDs with Partners Before First Sex.