Fighting the Medical Accuracy Myth
Preface: Everyone is for factual information. No one is defending telling lies; it’s just that there is more than the safe sex message to be presented.
Accuracy is not about sources but the correct use of the data presented. It is important to discern between control which is a governmental administrative issue and medical facts. New medical findings emerge constantly. Abstinence providers use many science-based sources and journal references to provide the truth about sexually transmitted infections and disease prevention. Sexuality educators, health workers or officials may benefit by exploring their interpretations or expanding their understanding of reproductive health consequences, as they relate to abstinence until marriage facts.
Running Account: This is a running dialogue of how to lobby against a national campaign of misinformation about abstinence education and medical accuracy. It is my hope that you will find some ideas and phrases that will assist in your state. The short summary explains how the bill was lobbied and tips for lobbying.
Names have been removed, using titles instead
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Documents |
Organizing Support |
Testimony |
Follow up |
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1) Jan. 23, 2002 Call from a legislator’s office to alert us of abstinence bill. The Bill was e-mailed.
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Contact legislators 7) Abstinence Education is under attack. 8) Initial letter to abstinence providers throughout the state. Kept them informed with one or more e-mails and phone calls daily. Kept in contact with interested legislator(s). Medical accuracy sounds good so some less involved need help understanding the concerns. |
Preparing for Testimony 20) Advocates for Youth Responds about abstinence funding – U.S. Newswire - January 31, 2002 Thursday 11:50 AM HEADLINE: Administration to Dump More Taxpayer Money Into Unproven Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Programs, Says Advocates for Youth. A visit to their website is insightful. http://www.advocatesforyouth.org
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) sent out e-mail alerts:
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33) Feb 8, 2002 Bill dead
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3) Hurried
Comments on the bill to
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Gathering Support 10) Gathering Support – Use network of like-minded organizations 11) Abstinence Education Threatened |
27) Research 28) Questions of DOH Attached is my research on medical organizations, the so-called experts, and their view of abstinence education. If we have to depend on them for support we are in trouble. |
35) Issues to Review with Title V office
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5) Alerted sympathetic national organizations to ask for help |
E-mails to help others understand the issues and their responses 14) FYI 15) E-mail diary |
Lobbying Packet Teen-Wire copies, research on medical organizations positions on abstinence see above Business card Information on own organization
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6)Sex Ed Fact Sheet from WA state |
National Evidence The same types of bills are simultaneously moving through Vermont,
Washington State, recently in California, and probably others. 16) National sources provide information 17) National Evidence of accuracy plot 18) National Alert from Opposition Understand the reason why controversy is intense. 19) Welfare reforms taking shape
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Actual Testimony There were many others but this will give some highlights and suggestions on how you might prepare yours. 30) Prepare testimony and make copies for the committee. Testimony Handout 31) Community Member Testimony 32) Doctor Testimony
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