One of our positive, pro-active bills--the Responsible Sex Education Bill (AB 690)--is scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday.  Urge the Education Committee to support responsible sex education!

The Responsible Sex Education bill would ensure that sex education taught in Wisconsin's schools is medically accurate and comprehensive, including information about abstinence and the prevention of unintended pregnancy and STIs through the use of contraceptives.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to support the Responsible Sex Education bill, AB 690, and work to facilitate its passage out of the Assembly Committee on Education.

AB 690 would ensure that sex education taught in Wisconsin's schools is medically accurate and comprehensive, including information about abstinence and the prevention of unintended pregnancy and STIs through the use of contraceptives. Factual and balanced information on sexuality will help prevent teen pregnancy and STIs among our youth by giving them the information and tools to make informed decisions.

The U.S. has the highest teen pregnancy rate of developed countries and Wisconsin has the second highest African American teen pregnancy rate in the country. Approximately 12,000 pregnancies occur among teens each year in Wisconsin, and 80% of them are unintended. The consequences of teen pregnancy and childbearing are serious and numerous. Most teen parents do not finish high school and the vast majority live in poverty. Additionally, 9.1 million sexually transmitted infections occur in teens each year, with 48% of all new STI cases occurring in teens and young adults aged 15-24.

Considering the above statistics, it is important, given the effectiveness of comprehensive sex education in reducing teen pregnancy and STI rates, for Wisconsin policy-makers to ensure our young people are getting this vital information.

Responsible sex education works. Research demonstrates that successful sex education programs employ a comprehensive approach of teaching abstinence, but also critical information about additional ways to prevent unintended pregnancy and disease. Additional research shows that responsible sex education programs that discuss both abstinence and contraception delay the onset of sexual intercourse, reduce the frequency of sex, increase contraceptive use, do not increase the number of sexual partners teens have, and help protect teens from STI, pregnancy and HIV.

Wisconsin has a long way to go to prevent teen pregnancy and STIs. AB 690 will give parents, guardians and teens the tools they need to communicate openly and to make responsible, healthy and potentially life-saving choices.

Please support the Responsible Sex Education bill.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 14, 2005