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September 2007 update on new publications, actions you can take, and more!
Advocates for Youth's e-News Update
News You Can Use
America's Teens Left Behind
Statement by James Wagoner on the Extension of Title V Abstinence-Only Programs
Does a teenager, aged 15-19, growing up in Georgia, have to move to New Jersey in order to avoid misinformation that HIV is spread through "sweat or tears?" Will the 1,703,000 15-19 year olds living in Texas, President Bush's home state, continue to be told that HIV can "pass through" condoms? And what about the over 50,000 girls ages 15-19 growing up in Nebraska? Will they be taught to be submissive out of fear that their "prince" will marry another woman? Will gay and lesbian youth in New York be treated with respect in the sex ed classroom while those in Oklahoma are targeted for stigma and isolation?
Read the full statement here.
Take Action!
In July, Democratic Leadership in Congress did the unthinkable...
They proposed a shocking $28 million INCREASE in funding for failed abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.
As Congress prepares to reconvene in September, it's critical that we let members know that we expect them to stand up for Democratic principles and to support programs that work.
We are targeting 22 key Congressional leaders to end funding for abstinence-only programs! If your Representative is listed on this page (no longer available), please send in a letter today! If you do not know who your representative is, visit our Take Action Center and enter your zip code to find out.
We need to remind our elected officials that this isn't just a debate about tax dollars or political tactics. When Congress refuses to stand up against programs that cause proven harm to teens across America, young people pay the price.
This fight will continue when Congress is back in session - after all, the Senate still has a chance to stop this unjustifiable funding increase.
But it's time to tell your Representative and other key Congressional leaders to take a stand - and that we are ready to stand with them.
It's time for our leaders to lead.
October is Let's Talk Month!
Let's Talk Month is a national public education campaign celebrated in October and coordinated by Advocates for Youth. Let's Talk Month is an opportunity for community agencies, religious institutions, businesses, schools, media, parent groups and health providers to plan programs and activities which encourage parent/child communication about sexuality.
News of the Absurd
Flying Southwestern Airlines? Better Cover Up
Kyla Ebbert, a 23-year-old student at Mesa College in Arizona, was escorted off of a Southwestern Airlines flight and asked to change clothes because her outfit was deemed inappropriate by airline personnel. When Ebbert asked what part of her outfit was inappropriate, she was told, "The whole thing." Since she didn't have a change of clothes handy, staff then allowed Ebbert to return to the plane after requesting that she adjust her clothing to appear more modest. Southwestern has defended its random enforcement of this unwritten dress code, saying it can remove any passenger "whose clothing is lewd, obscene or patently offensive"; to ensure the comfort of children and "adults with heightened sensitivities."
Read the rest of the article here:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/braun/20070905-9999-1m5braun.html
New At Advocates
Job Opening: International Policy Director
Advocates for Youth is seeking applicants for the International Policy Director. The Director acts as the organization's voice on Capitol Hill, in coalition meetings, and at international conferences. The Director identifies and implements strategies to improve US foreign policy related to global HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, international family planning, sex education, and access to safe, confidential health services, including abortion, among other issues.
Click here to read the full job description.
Blog: Waiting On A Dream
Marcela Howell is the Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Advocates for Youth
In 2005, I took a break from my position at Advocates for Youth to work on a series of essays about my experiences in the women's, or reproductive rights, movement. I knew that what I had experienced over some 30-plus years was still being experienced by young African American activists today. The collection of essays, Walk in My Shoes: A Black Activist's Guide to Surviving the Women's Movement, which resulted from my 15-month sabbatical, uses my experiences as anecdotes to help young women of color navigate the turbulent -- and, at times -- treacherous waters of the white women's movement. Even as I wrote, I hoped that my experiences would no longer be relevant to a younger generation. But, unfortunately, I knew they would be.
New in the Community
The HEAR ME Project (an initiative of HEAR ME, Inc. and Select Media, Inc.) announces their story writing and video contest for young people ages 14 to 22. Entries must be about personal vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. The stories can be either fiction or non-fiction. The characters in the story must be impacted by HIV/AIDS. For more information, please visit http://www.hearmeproject.org/.
The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) is currently looking for young women age 20-24 who can speak on their experience with intimate partner violence and reproductive health issues.The FVPF is developing a national public education campaign on the link between violence against women and reproductive health. The campaign, "Changing the Story: Violence Against Women and Reproductive Health", will engage young women age 20-24 on the link between violence and unplanned pregnancy, as well as issues of reproductive control, including birth control sabotage, forced abortion and forced pregnancy. A critical aspect of this campaign is to capture the real stories of young women who have experienced issues of reproductive control in their relationships. These stories will become part of a national media campaign focused on reaching the target age group through magazine publications. For more information, please contact Jeanine Hays, Program and Policy Specialist, Family Violence Prevention Fund at 415-252-8900 x. 13 or jeanine@endabuse.org.
In the Spotlight
Alejandra is a 23-year-old Oberlin College Class of 2006 alumnus who majored in Hispanic Studies and minored in German. She interned in the International Division of Advocates for Youth during the summer of 2007.
I'm involved in activism because I've always been the type to speak my mind and there is no better way to do it than in an educated fashion. I like being surrounded by knowledgeable people who I know will be able to help me learn how to create comfortable environments for people to ask questions, and supply the necessary tools to become informed on issues. Also, knowing that I helped create change for the better on any issue of importance to me is more than enough reason for doing this type of work.
I have found the most challenging part of activism is becoming comfortable in social movements: coming to understand the reasons behind an opposing view and then learning to select the appropriate language to be able to communicate on neutral terms.
The most rewarding parts are the wonderful people I get to meet, all of the things I learn (regardless of how pleasant or unpleasant they may be), and the feeling of satisfaction I get when I see the hard work paying off.
I currently intern at Advocates for Youth. My main job is to work on the Ambiente Joven web site, which focuses on GLBTQ youth in Latin America. I'm updating materials on the site as well as writing new features. I will also be compiling a new list of resources for visitors.
I have also just recently become involved with a youth advisor group to Women Deliver Conference, a group that focuses on ensuring that youth issues are integrated and addressed at this important conference on maternal health issues coming up in the fall.
In the future, I'm hoping to get accepted to Kent State University's Masters in Translation and Interpretation (MATI) program in the spring for Spanish to English/English to Spanish translation. I plan to either continue at Kent or head out to the University of Vienna for a degree in German to English/English to German translation. All of this will eventually lead to a Ph. D. and learning at least five other languages to satisfy my insatiable need for new ways of communication, and to create a way for me to achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a translator in the wonderful field of media and entertainment.
Read All About It
Three New Publications at Morningafterinfo.org!
Morningafterinfo.org is the website of the South Carolina Emergency Contraception Initiative, a project of Advocates for Youth with New Morning Foundation, which seeks to raise awareness of and access to emergency contraception for young women ages 16-24 in South Carolina.
Questions and Answers about Emergency Birth Control Pills: A Guide for Health Care Providers
Many people know nothing about emergency birth control pills (also called emergency contraception, Plan B®, and the "morning after pill"). Others have misinformation and/or hold myths about them. This document was created to help health care providers understand the type of questions that your patients and staff may ask and be ready with accurate, reassuring answers.
Pharmacists and Emergency Birth Control: Overcoming Barriers to Access for Young Women in South Carolina
Emergency birth control pills are entirely safe, do not cause abortion, and cause no harm to a woman or her pregnancy, if she is already pregnant. Studies show that very few women use emergency contraception more than once, and most are already using a regular method of contraception. The American Pharmacists Association recommends that pharmacists: 1) help overcome barriers to the use of emergency contraception by educating their patients and other health professionals and 2) develop effective counseling skills and sensitivity to the emotional turmoil that women may be experiencing when they seek emergency birth control pills.
Emergency Birth Control Pills: The Role of Educators and Youth Serving Professionals
This document includes a brief summary of the importance of emergency birth control pills as a pregnancy prevention method for adolescent and young adult women in South Carolina. It reviews findings from surveys that assessed knowledge and awareness of emergency birth control pills among young South Carolina women. It provides suggestions for actions that educators can take to improve youth's knowledge of and access to emergency birth control pills, including a lesson plan with leader's resource. It concludes with resources for educators about emergency birth control pills.
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
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