Along with ACLU affiliates nationwide, the ACLU of PA is a participant of the national ACLU's Take Issue, Take Charge campaign to oppose federally-funded, fear-based abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. The fight against abstinence-only-until-marriage programs combines many issues on which the ACLU has traditionally taken a strong stance, including separation of church and state, LGBT rights, and reproductive freedom. Due to the scope of the abstinence-only issue, the ACLU has a unique opportunity to partner with broad array of organizations—LGBT groups, public health officials, HIV/AIDS organizations, school personnel, parents, students, and clinicians. Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs present medically inaccurate, biased information about sex and sexuality to young people, leaving them ill-equipped to prevent unwanted pregnancies and protect themselve from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Without access to accurate information about sex and sexuality, youth nationwide are being left unable to fully exercise their reproductive freedom. The campaign utilizes a grassroots approach to advocate for responsible sex education-- comprehensive sexuality education--in public schools. Comprehensive sexuality education explains the benefits of abstaining from sex but also supplies youth with age-appropriate information and resources they need to fully protect themselves should they begin having sex. Latest NewsThe PA Department of Health Applies for Title V Funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs after being one of three states (including CA and ME) to reject this restrictive federal funding. The Department of Health received their grant award in October, adding $1.8 million to abstinence-only-until-marriage programming in the state. September 5, 2006 Broad Coalition Asks Pennsylvania Schools to Provide Effective Sexuality Education to Protect Youth Specter Pours More Money Into Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs. Senator Specter's earmarks have taken tax payer dollars away from "funds for child abuse discretionary activities" and provided an additional $2.9 million dollars in fiscal year 2007 for biased and ineffective abstinence-only-until-marriage programs. Act Locally!Read about how community members in Bradford County, PA are working to combat the use of abstinence-only-until-marriage programming. Use the Take Issue Take Charge Advocate's Guide to review abstinence-only-until-marriage programs or curricula in your area. Be sure to contact us at duvall@aclupa.org if you discover that a program in your area includes religious, medically inaccurate, discriminatory, or misleading information.
Fact Sheets and Resources (all in PDF format)
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