ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

Young Activists to Capitol Hill: "My Voice Counts!"

Young People to Lobby for Honest Sex Education on "Youth National Advocacy Day"

WASHINGTON, DC (April 21, 2004) On Monday, April 26, 2004, over 80 youth from 15 states across the country will travel to Capitol Hill for the Youth National Advocacy Day in support of comprehensive sex education—education that provides information about abstinence and contraception, including condoms.

"Our government has to get real about teens and sex," said Kayley Harrington, a student at American University who will participate in visits with Reps. Barbara Boxer and Diane Feinstein. "We must all embrace a realistic, comprehensive approach to sex education that discusses the realities of young people's lives. Some are sexually active, some are not. Any sex education program should address their health care needs."

Standing in the way of this common sense approach to sex education is the current administration's support for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs—programs that promote a 'Just Say No' approach while censoring any information on the health benefits of condoms. In his new budget, President Bush doubles federal funding for these programs even though recent evaluations from states, including Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, show these programs ineffective.

"Sex education is not an either/or thing," said Akenji Ndumu, a student at the University of Maryland in College Park. "Yes, abstinence is the only 100 percent effective prevention for all STDs, but condoms can help protect sexually active young people against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. We need both messages to make sure we are protecting all young people."

The central focus of the youth's visit will be to garner support for the Family Life Education Act, a bill which will provide funding for comprehensive sex education.

Advocates for Youth is a national, nonprofit organization that creates programs and supports policies that help young people make safe, responsible decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

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Note to Editors and Producers: For more information or to set up an interview with youth from your state, please contact Bill Barker at (202) 419-3420.

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