Campaign Unavailable

Florida's teens are at risk - thanks to ineffective abstinence-only programs that fail to provide our young people with the information they need to be healthy and safe.

A March 2009 study by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) and the Healthy Teens Campaign of Florida found that Florida’s laws concerning sex education for young people in public schools are woefully inadequate. Florida receives the 2nd highest amount of federal abstinence-only funding in the country – approximately $13 million.

Many abstinence-only programs in Florida provide inaccurate and outdated information, reinforce gender stereotypes, and rely on fear and shame-based tactics to discourage sexual activity.  This is unacceptable.

Senator Ted Deutch (D-30) and Representative Keith Fitzgerald (D-69) have introduced the Healthy Teens Act (SB 220, HB 265).  The Healthy Teens Act protects Florida’s teens by requiring that public schools receiving state funding provide comprehensive, medically-accurate, and age-appropriate factual information when teaching about sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, family planning, or pregnancy.

You can help. Tell your legislators to support the Healthy Teens Act!