The XIX International AIDS Conference (IAC) will take place Sunday, July 22nd to 27th at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. The IAC is the premier gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policymakers, persons living with HIV, and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic. This marks the first time in over 20 years that the IAC will be in the United States after the 2008 lifting of the HIV travel ban.

Visit Advocates for Youth's booth in  the Global Village near the Youth Pavilion.  Admission to the Global Village is free.

On Wednesday we hosted a live twitter chat with Dr. Amy Schalet, author of Not Under My Roof, an exploration of attitudes toward teen sexuality in the U.S. and the Netherlands.  Here's a recap of the lively chat!  Don't forget to like Not Under My Roof on Facebook! 

How do ‪LGBT youth issues play out in the Dutch approach (also, what are similarities & differences w/US)?

The Dutch try to "normalize" same-sex sexualities--just as they do adolescent sexuality generally: One Dutch father I interviewed volunteered that his teenage daughter might prefer girls. But of course there is also still homophobia, despite efforts at "normalization" at home and school.

Has immigration to the Netherlands, especially by Muslims, changed the dialogue around sexuality?

Dutch sex education has become more sensitive to the fact that among Muslim groups virginity is highly valued; also emphasis on respect for diversity in cultural values around sex.

We know the Dutch have comprehensive sex ed in schools. Does it adequately address ‪LGBT student issues? If yes, how? Further, what can we learn from the Dutch re adequately incorporating ‪LGBT student issues in comp sexuality education?

by Janine Kossen, Director, Public Policy

Every July 11th, we observe World Population Day, a time to call attention to the essential part that reproductive health plays in creating a just and equitable world. To commemorate this momentous occasion in 2012, world leaders will meet in London on Wednesday to call for unprecedented international political commitment and resources to provide an additional 120 million women in the world's poorest countries with lifesaving contraceptives, information, and services by 2020.

We can support these efforts by calling on our own elected officials to support the end of the Global Gag Rule.

The London Family Planning Summit has the potential to achieve transformational, life changing results which will reduce the number of newborn deaths, improve the health of women and girls, and ultimately lead to healthier and more prosperous nations.

While most of us will not have the opportunity to participate directly in the Summit, everyone has a role to play and something to contribute to the global movement for universal access to reproductive health services. As young people and adult allies, we can commit to ensuring that all women, men, and young people receive quality comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information and services, unfettered by ideology and political whims.

Advocates’ next book club book will be Not Under My Roof, by sociology professor Dr. Amy Schalet.

Not Under My Roof compares attitudes toward adolescence and sex in the US and the Netherlands.

On July 18, we will post quotes and discussion questions on Advocates’ Twitter throughout the day.  And, from 1-3 PM Eastern time, Dr. Schalet herself will take questions about the book and her research.

Please share widely and encourage folks to read the book, follow Advocates on Twitter, and retweet/respond to the book club posts.  And, please tweet at us on July 18 or email emily at advocatesforyouth.org, with questions for Dr. Amy Schalet!

Buy Not Under My Roof

Find Not Under My Roof in a library

Like Not Under My Roof on Facebook