From: New York
Date sent: Tue, 18 Feb 1997 11:40:42 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Fwd: Legislative Issues Impacting GLBT Youth

A forward from Gary Kreep.

Subj: [Fwd: (Fwd) (Fwd) Legislative Issues Impacting GLBT Youth]
Date: 97-02-17 04:55:57 EST
From: forusjf@ix.netcom.com (usjf)
[Del.]
please feel free to share.
any questions can be directed to me.
David@advocatesforyouth.org


ADVOCATE'S FOR YOUTH
February 1997
Advocates for Youth

ADVOCATE'S ALERT

ABSTINENCE ONLY FUNDING FIASCO
As reported previously, the federal government has created a new $50
(million ?) stream of funding for abstinence-only education. Programs funded
by
this money must have "as their exclusive purpose, teaching social,
psychological and health gains to be realized by abstaining from
sexual activity" and must teach that "sexual activity outside of the
context of marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and
physical effects". The new funds are available as part of state
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant applications. Since
November, advocates have been waiting for the MCH Bureau to release a
"guidance" on how states can apply for these funds, and how the funds
are to be administered.

The guidance on implementation of the MCH abstinence-only sexuality
education funds is expected to be released by February 7th. A draft will
be mailed to state Title V Directors for comment. There will be a mere
two-week period during which comments on the guidance will be accepted
by MCH. After the Office of Management and Budget gives approval,
the final version will be released, probably in mid-April.

MCH contacts caution that the guidance does not allow much flexibility
in administering the grants and that "the guidance follows the legislation"
pretty closely. This means that effective and comprehensive programs
(such as Postponing Sexual Involvement) will NOT be eligible for funds
because they include information about contraception and risk reduction).
MCH will send a copy of the draft for comment only to organizations
that request it. Everyone concerned about protecting comprehensive
health education should (1) contact MCH and request a copy of the
guidance, (2) comment on this guidance and the overall
ineffectiveness of abstinence-only programs, (3) ensure that your
comments are received by the MCH Bureau within two weeks, (4) work
with state Title V administrators to comment on the guidance and
evaluate funded programs. The MCH contact is: Linda Johnson, Senior
Manager for Abstinence Education, MCH Bureau 5600 Fishers Lane, 18-31
Parklawn, Rockville, MD. 20857. Ms. Johnson's phone number is: (301)
443-6347

Advocates for Youth will forward a copy to activists who have
asked us for it. For more information, call Advocates'
Legislative Office; also SIECUS's web site (SIECUS.org) will
contain more detailed information about this attack on
comprehensive sexuality education.

ALABAMA
http://www.asc.edu/archives/legislat/legislat.html

A 1992 law banning public funds for gay & lesbian campus
organizations is currently being challenged in the 11th Court of
Appeals. ACLU, filing on behalf of the Gay Lesbian Bisexual Alliance
at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, claims the law violates
First Amendment Rights. D The proposed 1997 Health Course of Study no
longer mandates teaching contraception and non HIV STD prevention.
The decision is now left solely to the teacher. The Board will vote
on 2/13.

ARIZONA
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/

HB2244 would allow the Department of
Health Services to work with local community organizations in
establishing no less than six three-year pilot programs for HIV and
AIDS education. These programs would be evaluated. This bill
appropriates $1,150,000 for the project. DRep. Dan Schottel has stated
he will introduce a bill at the prompting of the Traditional Values
Coalition, which intends to ban support groups for gays and lesbians
in schools and universities. CAZ 2150 Would allow a pregnant woman
under the age of 18 to receive substance abuse treatment without
parental consent.

CALIFORNIA
http://www.sen.ca.gov/www/leginfo/SearchText.html

AB101 would include `sexual orientation' to non-discrimination
policies currently in place for all schools, community-colleges, and
California State University campuses.

COLORADO
http://www.state.co.us/gov_dir/stateleg.htm

Colorado for Family Values is launching a sizable campaign in School
District 11 to pass a `student sexual conduct policy'. The policy
calls for students to be abstinent, and reminds students that
traditional marriage is the appropriate context for sexual activity.

CONNECTICUT
http://www.state.ct.us/

A bill has been introduced to the Connecticut legislature that would
add `sexual orientation' to the types of discrimination prohibited
under the State Education Statutes. D HB 5449 Parental Rights
Amendment. (parental rights - see also AZ and VA). DHB 6085 -
Restricts health curriculum in public schools

IDAHO
http://www.idwr.state.id.us/legislat/track97.html

In her first term as superintendent of public instruction, Anne Fox
is using federal funds as a way to pressure local schools into
abstinence-only HIV/STD training. Between $80,000 and $240,000 will
be dispersed to the school districts whose programs are approved.

MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/legis/legis.htm

SB 325 would "include AIDs and HIV prevention education in the
health curriculum of the public schools

MISSOURI
http://www.moga.state.mo.us

SB 126 requires sex education material to say that abstinence is the
preferred choice of sexual behavior, only abstinence is 100% effective
in preventing pregnancy and STDs. It further states that the failure
rates of condoms must be taught. D House Bill 224 states that sex
education must emphasize abstinence, failure and success rates of
contraception, and that sodomy is illegal. D SB 82 would prevent
schools from presenting information that "promotes or advocates
homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle

NEW JERSEY
http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/html/njleg.ht

AB 227 - HIV/AIDs instruction must be taught in every public school,
in every grade. Age-appropriate curriculum guidelines must be
developed by the Commissioner of Education. DAB 530 - Sexuality and
HIV education must emphasize abstinence and, if teaching contraception
or condom information, must stress failure rates. DAB 524 prohibits
condom distribution in state institutions, including schools.

UTAH
http://www.le.state.ut.us/

The Gay-Straight Alliance continues to meet at East High. In an
effort to eliminate the club, the district school board banned all
non-academic clubs last year. The Alliance, however, is still allowed
under the Civic Center Act, to rent space for their meetings. The
State Board of Education is currently considering a policy that would
allow Gay/Straight Alliances to meet as official school activities.
This decision would impact East High, as well as Cottonwood High
School where students have requested to form an alliance.

WASHINGTON
http://www.leg.wa.gov/

SB 5167 would prevent any schools in Washington from presenting
homosexuality as "acceptable, legitimate conduct, or as a natural,
alternative lifestyle" DHB 1084: A student could be denied
information on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, unless
written permission is obtained from a parent in advance. DHB 1085 A
student would not be allowed to participate in surveys requesting
specified personal information, unless written permission is obtained
from a parent in advance. Students would not be able to take surveys
on sexual behavior, attitudes about sex, or surveys that could
potentially include critical comments about their parents other family
members.


____

This Alert Identifies legislation currently under
consideration. Please write your legislators and
share your perspective on the effects these laws
would have. If you would like more information
about the content of any bill listed, please
contact your state legislative services offices.
Advocates for Youth is also available if you
would like help drafting a letter, preparing
a visit to a state legislator or submitting
testimony before committee considering
legislation.

Advocates for Youth - 1025 Vermont Suite 200 - Washington DC 20005
ph. 202-347-5700 - fax 202-347-2263 - E-mail David@advocatesforyouth.org

____
Advocates for Youth
http://eos.atmos.washington.edu/~robert/advocates/
GLBT Youth Resource Page
http://members.aol.com/ouryouth/index.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Mariner - Legislative Associate - Advocates for Youth
1025 Vermont Ave - Suite 200 - Washington DC 20009
202-347-5700 (w) 202-347-2263 (f) 202-986-6049 (h)
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Advocates for Youth works to increase the opportunities for
and abilities of youth to make healthy decisions about
sexuality. Since 1980, Advocates for Youth has provided
information, education and advocacy to youth-serving
agencies and professionals, policy makers, and the media.

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