September 29, 2006

BUILDING A SMARTER, FASTER, STRONGER AIDS MOVEMENT

Young people need to know about sex but they're getting a pile of myths, shame, and stereotypes instead. (photo from Sex Etc. They rock. Visit them at www.sexetc.org.)

THEY ARE TEACHING OUR KIDS WHAT????

Learn More about Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs

"AIDS can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact." from Reasonable Reasons to Wait, Teacher's guide, Unit 5, pg. 19 (In truth: HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, can be transmitted only through direct exchange of bodily fluids such as blood, semen, vaginal secretions, or breast milk.)

"Many homosexual activists are frustrated and desperate over their own situation and those of loved ones. Many are dying, in part, due to ignorance. Educators who struggle to overcome ignorance and instill selfmastery in their students will inevitably lead them to recognize that some people with AIDS are now suffering because of the choices they made." from Facing Reality, Parent/Teacher Guide, p. 19

Yup - these are real quotes from abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that could be forming the "sexuality education" of young people in your local school! (And you should hear what they have to say about girls' outfits!) Get the nitty-gritty details on federal funding, independent research, and policy advocacy at the annual SIECUS back-to School Briefing.

The Most Important Things Our Young People WON'T Learn at School This Year, Courtesy of Federal Funding for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs

When: Wednesday, October 4, 2006

9:30am-10:30am

Where: Rayburn House Office Building Room B-340

RSVP: Email Jen Heitel Yakush at jheitel@siecus.org

What: A breakfast briefing that will highlight new reviews of federally funded abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula and the impact of these programs on young people. This briefing will not only clarify what these programs are and the effects they are having on youth, but will also explain what Members of Congress and the larger community can do to help support medically accurate, age-appropriate, evidence-based comprehensive sexuality education programs and prevention efforts that have been proven to be effective.

Supporters: Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Congressman Raul M. Grijalva, Congressman Luis Gutierrez, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, and Congresswoman Betty McCollum

Then later this month in NY, join CHAMP, the Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project and the the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center for a critical dialogue on how abonly programs perpetuate HIV/AIDS-related stigma and homophobia.

Do Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs Promote HIV Stigma and Homophobia in Schools?

- Free and open to the public -

Tuesday, October 24th

208 West 13th Street (btwn 7th/8th aves.) New York City

Speakers include:

Diana Bruce, AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families

Maxwell Ciardullo, Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS)

Elizabeth Diaz, Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

Shaquana Gardner, Teen Advocate Program - Planned Parenthood NYC, High School Student

Moderated by: Ann Northrup

ALSTON/BANNERMAN FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Activists of Color Award

This program is committed to advancing progressive social change be helping to sustain long-time activists of color. The program honors those who have devoted their lives to helping their communities organize for racial, social, economic, and environmental justice, and provides resources for organizers to take sabbaticals for reflection and renewal. The program seeks applicants whose work attacks roots causes of injustice by organizing those affected to take collected action; challenges the systems that perpetrate injustice and effects institutional change; builds their community's capacity for self-determination and develops grassroots leadership; acknowledges the cultural values of the community; creates accountable participatory structures in which community members have decision-making power; and contributes to building a movement for social changes by making connections between issues, developing alliances with other constituencies, and collaborating with other organizations.

Eligible applicants include people of color with more than 10 years of community organizing experience who are committed to continuing to work for social change and live in the United States or its territories. Funding amount: approximately $15,000 per award. In 2006, 10 awards were made.

For more information, please visit http://www.alstonbannerman.org or call (410) 327-6220 or (501) 421-5862 or email info@Alston/Bannerman.org.

The Housing Works AIDS Issues Update is reported, written and edited by Diana Scholl, David Thorpe, Christine Campbell, terri smith-caronia and Housing Works staff. Send your feedback, leads and story ideas to d.scholl@housingworks.org.

You can reach us by phone at 212-967-1500 x168, by fax at 212-868-4222, and by email at d.scholl@housingworks.org. Housing Works provides housing, advocacy and services to homeless people living with AIDS and HIV. Housing Works is the nation's largest community-based AIDS organization and the nation's largest minority-controlled AIDS organization.

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