Pro-Gay Youth Sexuality Bill Introduced In Congress
by Doreen Brandt 365Gay.com Washington Bureau

Posted: February 10, 2005  2:03 pm. ET

(Washington) Legislation was introduced in Congress on Thursday to dull some of the negative effects of the Bush Administration's abstinence only school programs.

The Responsible Education About Life Act would create a grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that would award $206 million per year to states for comprehensive sexuality education.   

Currently, states can only receive federal funding for sexuality education if they teach abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that routinely exclude information about contraception and sexually transmitted diseases.

A recent study at Texas A&M University showed that teenagers taking abstinence-only sex education programs became increasingly sexually active, which is the exact opposite effect that or which the program is designed.

"Science proves that teens need comprehensive sexuality education," said Human Rights Campaign spokesperson David M. Smith.

"Comprehensive education can include abstinence but must also include science-proven prevention education. The federal government has tied states' hands when it comes to providing prevention education to teens. It's time to ensure that at least one program gives states the ability to get the job done."

Last December Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) released a report critical of the Bush Administration's emphasis on abstinence as the best means of combating AIDS.

The report says that abstinence-only-until-marriage curricula in schools contain false and misleading information. Two thirds of the federally funded abstinence programs were found to distort the facts on the use of condoms.

The report also found that the program is teaching teens that abortion can lead to sterility and suicide and that half of the gay male teenagers in the U.S. have tested positive for HIV.

Smith said Thursday that the proposed legislation would help LGBT. 

"Without the right to marry in the vast majority of the nation, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students are completely cut out of prevention in the current system," he said.

"School is supposed to be about educating. It's time to present teens with the whole truth in an age-appropriate way. 

The bill was introduced by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) in the House, and Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J) in the Senate. 

In addition to HRC it is supported by the Sexuality Information Education Council of the United States, Advocates for Youth and the National Education Association.