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PopNews February 2005 -- Legislative Update

The best way to stand up for the youth of today is by supporting comprehensive sexuality education

On February 10, 2005 Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) introduced the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, a bill that would direct funding to states for comprehensive sexuality education programs. Currently there is no federal money supporting education programs that are age-appropriate, medically accurate, and stress abstinence while also educating young people about contraception.

In the present political landscape, states can only receive federal funding for sex education if they agree to teach abstinence-only programs -- programs that exclude information about the benefits of contraception in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The President's budget compounds this problem by setting aside $206 million for abstinence-only programs for the coming year, representing an increase of almost 25 percent over last year's funding. Zero dollars are set aside for comprehensive sex education programs and there is a proposal for an increase in abstinence-only funding to $270 million by 2008.

The Sierra Club applauds the efforts of legislators who support REAL and are helping to bring equality to the sex education debate. Our youth deserve safe, accurate and life saving information. Let your members of congress know that you do NOT stand behind an increase in funding for abstinence only programs.

Take Action Now!

Read more about abstinence-only.

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