I believe that if you educate young people about abstinence while also giving them the tools they need to protect themselves should they decide to not wait till marriage, their chance of catching an STD or STI goes down. What I want for my generation and future generations it for them to be given the whole picture, versus only one side of the issues.

Lawrence, 19, works with Advocates for Youth and the AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland as a member of the Ohio Advocates.

I got involved with activism in the youth sexual health and rights movement after I was selected to join the Mpowerment Program at the Aids Taskforce of Greater Cleveland. This has been an issue that I care very deeply about as I am a young person.  Statistics show that abstinence only  programs don’t work.  I believe that if you educate young people about abstinence while also giving them the tools they need to protect themselves should they decide to not wait till marriage, their chance of catching an STD or STI goes down.

What I want for my generation and future generations it for them to be given the whole picture, versus only one side of the issues. I want them to be given the tools to make the right decision for themselves. If young people don't stand up and make their voices known how will anything ever change? As we are the coming generation, it is our job to pick up the reins where our predecessors left off and move our cause in the direction it needs to go.