|
May 2005
Advocates for Youth's Youth Activist Network Newsletter
School's out for the summer, but Advocates for Youth's work is still going strong! Check out what's happening at Advocates, including our new newsletter features: a highlighted program of the month and "How Can I Talk About ... ?" (analyses and talking points related to adolescent sexual health issues currently in the news).
Program of the Month: Young Women of Color Leadership Council
Advocates for Youth's Young Women of Color Leadership Council is composed of young women of color, leaders and activists dedicated to promoting a message of prevention and empowerment. Their work is a collaboration of diversity and passion, coming together in the hopes of reaching a million more young women of color. Council members have recently accomplished many things. Here are just a few examples:
These young women are truly outstanding contributors to the field and they deserve a round of applause!
Stop Government Censorship in Hollywood
Take Positive Action for Responsible Television (Take P.A.R.T.) to support accurate sexual health information and positive images on television.
Government intimidation of Hollywood has made many networks nervous about providing sexual health information and storylines in their programming. Some have begun to censor themselves—concerned about the ambiguity of FCC regulations and fearful of the tactics of an administration intent on promoting ignorance to keep young people from engaging in sex before marriage. But, many in Hollywood have had the courage to take a stand!
This month The Media Project and Advocates for Youth recognize Law and Order: SVU, Summerland, and Judging Amy for their honest, accurate depictions of adolescent sexual health on TV. Write to the broadcasters and the FCC to express your support of accurate sexual health information on television. Tell these shows you support and applaud their efforts!
- Law & Order: SVU's "Intoxicated" showed the importance of protecting minors' right to confidential health care. This alert is no longer active.
- Summerland's "The Pleiades" showed the importance of teens talking with trusted adults about sex. This alert is no longer active.
- Judging Amy's "The New Normal" offered safer sex messaging and a depiction of the importance of living a full life when HIV-positive. This alert is no longer active.
 Protest the FDA's Decision to Limit Young Women's Access to Emergency Contraception
Ultra conservative politicians have already denied young people access to information. Now they're limiting young women's access to emergency birth control, too. Do you need an outlet to express your frustration with this hypocrisy?
Sign a petition protesting the FDA's decision to limit young women's access to emergency contraception online at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/youth/advocacy/yan/ec/petition.htm
How Can I Talk About ...? The Best Friends Program Assessment
Advocates for Youth recognizes there is a need for useful information to help colleagues talk about important issues playing out in the media each and every day. These analyses and talking points provide helpful facts and context relating to adolescent sexual health issues currently in the news.
This month Advocates focuses on the recently released study claiming that girls who are enrolled in the Best Friends abstinence-only program are substantially less likely to engage in premarital sex than peers who are not in the program. Read Advocates' analysis and talking points related to the Best Friends program assessment online at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/talkingpoints/bestfriends.htm
We Are Recruiting for Regional Coordinators
Interested in helping young people advocate for reproductive and sexual health rights in their communities? Interested in facilitating campus activism for emergency contraception, GLBT rights, or comprehensive sex education? Do you feel you have the skills to recruit and lead other students at high schools, colleges, and universities across the country? Apply to be a volunteer regional coordinator for the Youth Activist Network. Our Youth Activist Network comprises over 15,000 young people across the country who have joined Advocate's campaigns on sexual health. Regional Coordinators work to recruit other students for the campaign as well as and to coordinate people who are already on board. If you're interested, send your resume and a letter detailing why you're interested to jessie@advocatesforyouth.org
GLBT Youth: Speak Out About Your School Experiences in the 2005 National School Climate Survey
Help GLSEN (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) inform education policy makers and the public about what's really going on in our nation's schools. Complete the 2005 National School Climate Survey, GLSEN's fourth national survey about the experiences of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth in school. The National School Climate Survey is a crucial tool documenting the problem of anti-GLBT bias in schools across the nation.
If you (or someone you know) were in high school or middle school during the current school year (2004-2005) and are at least 13 years old, tell GLSEN about your experiences in school. For more info and to complete the survey online, visit http://www.glsen.org/cgi-bin/iowa/all/news/record/1789.html
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
Read previous issues from the Archive of e-News Updates >>
|
Send this page to a friend