May 2009

President Obama ENDS abstinence-only funding. Urgent action needed!

Earlier today, President Obama released the first budget of his presidency - which included some tremendously exciting news! The proposed FY10 federal budget eliminates all funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

Study after study has shown that these programs are ineffective at best - a total waste of the $1.5 billion the U.S. government has spent to date on these failed programs. Even worse, abstinence-only programs often contain false or misleading information about condoms and contraception!

Write to your representatives in Congress today! Ask them to stand with President Obama and support the elimination of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.

With this budget, President Obama fulfilled his campaign promises to return to science-based policies and to cut programs that simply don't work.

Now the ball is clearly in the court of the Democrats in Congress - most notably Speaker Pelosi and House Appropriations Chairman Obey (D-WI). The President has made it clear that he wants no more congressional funding for failed abstinence-only programs.

Will Congress have the courage to follow through on this vision? Tell your representatives it's time to end funding for abstinence-only programs and start funding comprehensive sex education!

As the budget process moves forward, we all have a role to play - working to ensure that there is no "back door" route for these programs to receive funding, and to build support for comprehensive sex education that takes a holistic approach to the many issues facing young people's sexual health.

We are standing on the brink of an enormous victory for young people in America. Together, we can turn this long-awaited vision into reality.

James Wagoner
President
Advocates for Youth

PS - Take a stand with President Obama! Tell Congress it's time to finally eliminate abstinence-only-until-marriage programs and fund comprehensive sex education.