“I HAVE SEX.”
Wesleyan University students, determined to speak out against extreme conservative members of the House of Representatives’ recent attack on Planned Parenthood, have presented this straightforward, sex-positive rallying cry to fellow young people across the country:
Via Lauren Goldberg, thanks!
Their press statement:
In order to “balance the budget” the House of Representatives recently announced the intention to strip all federal funding to Planned Parenthood. This is unacceptable. It’s time to face reality: many young people have sex, and need to know how to stay safe and healthy. Even those who have chosen to wait still need to know how to be safe and healthy when begin their sexual activity. This extreme ideological measure threatens our youth’s ability to choose their own future.
In many parts of America, Planned Parenthood is the only place young people can go to learn about safe sex, access contraceptives, or have a simple question about “down there” answered.
With all the rhetoric centering on “government waste,” Congress’s refusal to close multi-billion dollar corporate tax loopholes and instead eliminate essential, multi-million dollar sexual health programs is beyond hypocritical.
We are starting a student movement to make sure elected leaders know: Americans have sex, and we stand with Planned Parenthood.
On March 9, 2011, the Senate defeated the proposed de-funding bill. “However, budget negotiations are not yet over and we expect conservative members to continue to push to include the amendment to bar Planned Parenthood from receiving federal funds in upcoming continuing resolutions,” stated PP in a recent newsletter.
Obviously, teens and twentysomethings aren’t the only ones who would have been negatively impacted by the proposed H.R.1 bill. People from all walks of life have been benefiting from the many services Planned Parenthood provides for nearly a century. Were the organization (which spends ZERO federal dollars on abortion procedures) to lose all government funding, untold millions of women and men would potentially be affected.
What can defenders of reproductive rights, sex education, inexpensive health care, and safe sex advocacy do to peacefully and intelligently combat further ideological attacks? Visit Stand With Planned Parenthood to learn more.
March 11th, 2011 at 8:03 am
My alma mater! Does me proud!
March 11th, 2011 at 8:36 am
I would just like to add that every tax dollar spent on family planning save 4 more dollars down the road.
So … 75 million times four is how much Planned Parenthood actually saves the American taxpayer. Cutting Title X funding will only come back to bite us in the ass. So let’s be smart with our money (and our votes).
March 25th, 2011 at 8:03 pm
I have sex too!
April 17th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
I salute your stand and your perspective. The concept of being safe sane and healthy whatever your sexual choices may be is the only true way to change or guide a generation. No particular perspective should be shoved down the throats of our youth. Just give them good information.