The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Linda Paris, (202) 675-2312; media@dcaclu.org 

"Responsible Education About Life Act" Provides Needed Funding For Comprehensive Sex Ed

WASHINGTON

Representative
Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) today introduced
the Responsible Education About Life (REAL) Act, a bill that designates
federal funds for age-appropriate and medically accurate information to
help young people make informed decisions about their relationships and
sexual behavior. Research has shown that comprehensive sex education
programs help reduce risk behaviors by delaying the onset of sexual
intercourse, reducing the number of sexual partners and increasing
condom or contraceptive use among teens.

The following can be attributed to Vania Leveille, ACLU Legislative Counsel:
"The
REAL Act is a necessary antidote to counterproductive
abstinence-only-until-marriage programs that spread misinformation,
marginalize gay and lesbian youth and reinforce gender stereotypes.
Young people need real help - not worn out ideological or political
agendas - to make decisions that will prevent unintended pregnancies
and reduce sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS.
"Thanks
to the leadership of Representative Lee and Senator Lautenberg, this
legislation will help fund effective comprehensive sex education in
schools."

The American Civil Liberties Union was founded in 1920 and is our nation's guardian of liberty. The ACLU works in the courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

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