Sex ed supporters deliver close to 7,000 postcards to the governor

By: Associated Press - | Thursday, September 27, 2007 7:30 PM PDT ∞

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Supporters of legislation that would ensure state funds are spent responsibly on medically accurate, effective sex education programs in our communities, delivered close to 7,000 postcards to the governor today. The postcards, signed by thousands of Californians from communities statewide, urged the Governor to sign AB 629 (Brownley) - The Sexual Health Education Accountability Act.

Research has consistently shown that comprehensive, medically accurate sex education is what works to protect young people's health. According to a recent Public Health Institute poll, 89% of California parents - including 90% of Latino parents -- overwhelming support accurate sex education program for our teens.

Currently there is no accountability for how more than $25 million in state sexual health education funds are spent. AB 629 would provide fiscal accountability by establishing a floor of basic standards that community-based sex education programs must adhere to before they can receive state funding.

"The added bonus is that sex education programs save the state money," said Kathy Kneer, president of Planned Parenthood Affiliate of California. "By providing effective, medically accurate sex education (including abstinence), we can work to decrease the rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases which now cost Californians more than $1.5 billion each year."

AB 629 also allows for local program flexibility while ensuring that the information taught is accurate and science-based. It's sound public health policy.

"The communities targeted by state-funded prevention programs experience high rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections," said Rocio Cordoba, executive director of California Latinas for Reproductive Justice. "These are the communities that most need medically accurate, reliable and effective information. As such, we join thousands of Californians throughout the state and urge the Governor to promote healthy California communities by signing AB 629."

Supporters of AB 629 is a coalition of community groups, advocacy organizations, health care providers, doctors, lawyers and others dedicated to ensuring that Californians have access to medically accurate, reliable and effective sex education programs in their communities.

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Carter: wrote on Sep 28, 2007 9:01 AM: Actually all the children need is for somebody to follow them around with a cold bucket of water and douse them when the need arises. It would have been in my best interest. When i was a boy in high school they showed us a movie called, "Mom and Dad." It was very well done and led into very beneficial Q & A, and more lessons. This was in a backwater county in an Eastern state. The classes continued throughout high school and were in very good taste. A few students, including girls, tried to make them a spring board to popularity but were immediately put down. It was informative and very helpful for me. However, I doubt if todays teachers in this highly sophisticated SoCal could handle such a program to the benefit of the students.-

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