Tell House and Senate Committee Members to end Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage
The House Appropriations Committee is poised to spend $27 million more than last year -- a total of $140 million -- on abstinence-only programs (specifically for CBAE---Community Based Abstinence Education programs). And the Senate Subcommittee will be considering whether or not to fund abstinence-only programs at all.
Yes, these are the same programs that time and again have been proven to NOT positively impact the sexual behaviors of young people (and can, in fact, contribute to an increased risk). Abstinence-only promotes scientifically inaccurate information and withholds crucial information about HIV/STI and pregnancy prevention.
The House Appropriations Committee, led by Democrat David Obey, will be meeting soon to consider this bill. The Senate subcommittee is set to consider their bill in July.
It is unconscionable for our representatives to play into the politics of abstinence only programming, rather than paying attention to the public health evidence.
Please tell the members of both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees that you stand with the overwhelming majority (82%) of Americans who support giving young people all the facts.
Dear Senate/House Committee Members,
Please do not increase federal funding for ideology-based abstinence-only programs in the United States. As you prepare to vote on this issue, consider what our government's own report uncovered about these programs and where the overwhelming majority of Americans stand in regard to sexuality education.
The federal government's own research concluded that recipients of abstinence-only education were no more likely to abstain from sex, or delay sexual activity. In addition, the report concluded that abstinence-only programs do not result in lower rates of STIs or unintended pregnancy for our young people. I stand with the 82% of Americans who support giving young people all of the facts when it comes to sexuality education.
Abstinence-only programs have been proven ineffective, promote scientifically inaccurate
information and withhold crucial information about HIV/STI and pregnancy prevention.
Please STOP pouring millions of dollars into failed abstinence-only programs that do not give our young people the information they need to live happy and healthy lives.
Sincerely,
[your name]
[your address]
