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July 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.
Questions and Answers with Shelby Knox
Shelby Knox, the young advocate for sexual health rights featured in The Education of Shelby Knox, joined members of Advocates for Youth's Youth Activist Network (YAN) for an online chat on Wednesday, June 29, 2005. Here is an excerpt of questions and answers between YAN members and Shelby:
YAN Member: I'm from North Carolina, and the Southern Baptist faith is an important piece of our community here. What would you say to convince a devout preacher that comprehensive sex education is needed?
Shelby Knox: One of the largest parts of my struggle was to convince my pastor that we needed comprehensive sex education. I think a convincing argument is that kids need good information to remain HEALTHY. I don't see how anyone could debate that. However, he always did. In the end, we decided to agree to disagree. I think that we both respected one another for trying to help teens, although in a different way.
To read more questions and answers with Shelby Knox, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/youth/advocacy/yan/sexeducation/shelbyknox/qa.htm
How Can I Talk About …? Emergency Contraception
Advocates for Youth recognizes 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 emergency contraception (EC), a hot-button issue for the last few years and one that continues to rise in priority on the anti-family planning groups' agenda. Additionally, EC will remain on the radar screen with news stories and issues related to pharmacies' provision of EC, the FDA's decisions regarding EC, and statements from highly regarded medical associations regarding adolescents and EC. Read Advocates' analysis and talking points related to emergency contraception online at http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/news/talkingpoints/ec.htm
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 Point of View and Grey's Anatomy 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!
- Point of View aired "The Education of Shelby Knox," offering viewers an honest, straightforward look at the sex education controversy in a conservative Texas town. This alert is no longer active.
- Grey's Anatomy's "Who's Zoomin' Who?" sensitively and humorously depicted one person telling a sexual partner about a newly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection.This alert is no longer active.
Job Opening at Advocates for Youth: Youth Activist Network Project Coordinator
Under the supervision of the Director of Communications, the Program Coordinator for the Youth Activist Network will expand and deepen Advocates' work with youth activists from across the United States. Activities will include: identifying and drafting youth advocacy training modules; identifying opportunities and implementing strategies to grow YAN membership; conducting activities to engage YAN members in actively participating in Advocates' advocacy work; assisting YAN members to conduct advocacy activities at the federal, state, and local levels; coordinating the design, conduct, and follow-up of at least three, electronic, youth activist campaigns each year; assisting YAN members to conduct federal and state-based activities linked to the electronic campaigns; creating and implementing mechanisms to showcase youth activism at the state and federal level; assisting YAN members to remain in the reproductive rights or policy fields as they mature; and conducting youth-adult partnership trainings. The program coordinator will also be responsible for the recruitment and mentoring of Advocates' interns, as well as creating mechanisms to keep Advocates' youth alumni connected to the organization.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references to Human Resources, Advocates for Youth, 2000 M Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20036. No phone calls, please.
You can help Advocates for Youth with a contribution today. To donate, visit http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/about/donatetoday.htm
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