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January 2008 update on new publications, actions you can take, and more!
Advocates for Youth's e-News Update
News You Can Use
February 7th is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
African Americans/blacks account for more HIV and AIDS cases than any other racial/ethnic group in the United States. Although they represent only 12 percent of the U.S. population, African Americans/blacks accounted for half of AIDS cases diagnosed in 2005! African American women accounted for 66 percent of new AIDS cases among women in 2005 and among African Americans, women represent more than 35 percent of AIDS cases diagnosed in 2005. Black teens, ages 13-19, accounted for 69 percent of new AIDS cases reported among teens in the U.S in 2005.*
To learn more about HIV among African Americans/blacks, please read:
To get involved, please visit http://www.blackaidsday.org/.
*Kaiser Family Foundation. HIV/AIDS Policy Fact Sheet: Black Americans and HIV. July 2007.
February 14th is National Condom Day
February 14th, more widely known as Valentine's Day, is also National Condom Day. This day is observed to raise awareness and educate people about condoms. According to the CDC, condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV,and effective in preventing pregnancy and a number of sexually transmitted infections.
Blog: Will Democrats Stand Up for Sex Education?
Like most progressive activists, I viewed the results of the November 7, 2006 election with joy. Finally, I thought, the issue I had worked on for over eight years--comprehensive sex education--would be under the control of elected officials whom I trusted.
Finally, I thought, the REAL Act, the bill to provide federal funding to states to implement comprehensive sex education programs, might actually see the light of day instead of languishing in committees as it had since December of 2001.
Finally, I thought, there would be formal hearings in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the numerous studies and reports showing that abstinence-only-until-marriage programs don't work and highlighting the fact that a conservative Congress had wasted over $1.5 billion to support their right-wing cronies.
Finally, I thought, the pseudo-scientists pushed as "experts" by the Bush Administration would be exposed for the quacks and charlatans they really were.
And finally, I thought, all the funding for these ineffective and harmful abstinence-only-until-marriage programs would be eliminated. Ended! Stopped!
Finally! Finally! Finally!
Well, guess what? None of this happened.
Read the full blog here
New Research
Each month we will bring to you abstracts from the newest research on adolescent and sexual health. Don't miss these important findings!
Ethical Issues in Reproductive Health
Studies in Family Planning
This issue of Studies in Family Planning includes a number of essays and reports on pertinent reproductive rights topics. James Trussell and others examine the provision of EC, contending that access is not just a matter of public health but of rights. Another writer contends that AIDS activists should support routine HIV testing as encouraging an atmosphere of disclosure of HIV status to partners. Finally, one author discusses the issues around reproductive health confidentiality for adolescents.
Check out much more new research or go directly to the articles:
News of the Absurd
Presidential Hopeful's Ignorance
In 1992, Governor Mike Huckabee said the following: "If the federal government is truly serious about doing something with the AIDS virus, we need to take steps that would isolate the carriers of this plague...It is difficult to understand the public policy towards AIDS. It is the first time in the history of civilization in which the carriers of a genuine plague have not been isolated from the general population, and in which this deadly disease for which there is no cure is being treated as a civil rights issue instead of the true health crisis it represents."
Fifteen years later, rather than recanting his statement, he merely explained that he might phrase it differently, but he stood by the statement. Advocates youth activist Cherrell had this to say to Governor Huckabee:
"Placing blame has never resolved a problem. It may make some people feel better; it may buy into other people's bigotry. But, it doesn't solve the problem.
It is time for our government and our society to be accountable for the longevity of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Racism, classism, homophobia have all contributed to spreading HIV. After all, it is youth, communities of color and women through heterosexual contact who are the major victims of this disease. If only Fortune 500 CEOs contracted HIV, there'd be a cure by now."
>> Read the full article
In the Spotlight
Cherrell is a member of the Young Women of Color Leadership Council
My name is Cherrell. I am 22 years old and I am the founder and Executive Director of Collective Care Services Inc. (http://www.collectivecareservices.org) which provides services to Black women who suffer from disease and abuse. I was born and raised in Portland Oregon where I attended school through college. I have spent the past 14 years of my life fighting the spread of HIV in my community. My fight against HIV/AIDS began when I realized that the person closest to me, my mother, was at high risk for contracting the virus and dying because she was an injection drug user. My fight against HIV/AIDS grew stronger when I learned that my mother and her friends were sharing needles to inject their drugs.
In February 2004 I was diagnosed with HIV. I had contracted the virus in 2003 from boyfriend of 3 years. I contracted the virus the last time I had decided to have unprotected sex with my boyfriend. We practiced safe sex more times than we did unsafe sex but I was in denial that my partner was not honoring our monogamous relationship.
I joined the Young Women of Color Leadership Council because I am committed to educating and empowering women of color about issues of HIV/AIDS, women's rights, and reproductive health. I believe that there are millions of women who feel powerless when it comes to protecting themselves and that they are often required to make decisions without having sufficient education and appropriate resources.
Click here to read Cherrell's bio.
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