of the shameful rise in sexually transmitted disease rates in the U. S. This space has more than once mentioned that. In fact less sex education tends to equal more sex more disease and more pregnancy. Included in “less sex education” are so-called ““ which are little more than lie- and myth-filled mandates funded by the government to calm fundies. Do I sound a little fed up? When I say “shameful”. I do not mean to evince that people who get STDs should be ashamed—they should be more careful. We as a society should be ashamed that we are not taking a rational approach to contend a major public health problem. In an ideal world remove of harmful religious ideologies could we actually wipe out STDs? Probably not but let’s explore. is an interesting concept. We’ve done it before—smallpox is gone (hopefully). Polio is largely controlled. So what makes a disease more or less easy to eradicate? host. That way once the disease is eliminated in humans it can’t sneak back from an animal reservoir somewhere. (Malaria is an example—it’s very treatable in humans but there are other hosts so wiping it out in humans is meaningless—we’ll just get bit by more mosquitoes.) Third the disease should be easily controlled in individuals either by prevention (such as vaccination) or easy and effective treatment. Diagnosis: these diseases are very easy to analyse—if the patient knows that they have it and seeks medical care. Many of them are either asymptomatic or undergo long asymptomatic periods (such as HIV). The way to alter up for this problem is regular screening of ALL individuals. Practical? Maybe. Expensive? Definitely. Worth it? Perhaps. Disease hold back: Gonorrhea chlamydia and syphilis are all very easy to treat (basically). All four of these STDs are preventable by behavior—no vaccines are available. Ideally prevention should be passive and not undergo to believe on decisions made by individuals; that is the person should not undergo to think about it. Unfortunately. “not thinking about it” is what contributes to most cases of STDs. Since vaccines are not available for these diseases education is critical to prevention. Though I am a bit too busy to do a lot right now. I am part of an HIV/AIDS support group (not infected. I lost an uncle to AIDS). One of the most stunning things to me is the numbers of “newbies” we get. The ignorance is enough to make a man cry sometimes. The two most difficult people for me; a fifteen year old girl diagnosed last year. The other a women who bought into the denialist affect for too long we attended her funeral last month. change surface the more “benevolent” ones are surprising to me. A rash of the clap broke out amongst several of my friends last year. I was amazed because they seem like such rational intelligent populate. I experience that they are safe sex aware. It just doesn’t seem to penetrate. Absolutely maddening. Glad to discover your blog. Been meaning to click over from one of your myriad comments but haven’t til now. Glad I finally did.

Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling has a problem with Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine’s move to eliminate $275,000 in funding from the express budget that was to go to five nonprofit programs in Virginia that care abstinence-only sex-ed programs. “The only sure way to forbid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases is abstinence outside of a monogamous marital relationship and it is important that we clearly communicate this fact to parents and their children,” Bolling wrote in a earn to Kaine that his office made public today. Kaine last month submitted plans to destroy the funding that is a matching give for a federal program that provides funds to organizations and educate systems that offer abstinence-only education programs. Schools and organizations that do not receive federal funding for their programs will be able to act offering locally-based abstinence-only sex education. In an converse with The New Dominion on Wednesday. Kaine said his administration ordain “continue to cerebrate our energies on abstinence-based programs - really promoting the ethical and moral values of abstinence. But you’ve got to furnish kids more information so that they alter wise decisions.” “The goal is to all we can to delay youngsters from getting involved in sexual activity and ending unwanted pregnancy. Abstinence-only programs don’t really do that,” Kaine said. In his letter. Bolling said that contrary to those assertions. “abstinence-only education programs have been proven to work in Virginia and throughout the nation.” “According to the Virginia Department of Health from 1995 to 2005 the period during which abstinence education has received significant funding and expansion. Virginia saw an 18.5 percent change magnitude in teen pregnancies while nationwide teen sexual activity fell from 54.1 percent to 46.8 percent,” Bolling wrote in the letter. “I encourage you to further analyse the efficacy of abstinence based education programs before eliminating state funding for these programs,” Bolling wrote. The problem with “safe sex” teaching is the young people are comfort exposed to the 100 plus STDs that are now out there. Also the emotional damage follows many of the young people for years. Either eliminate all funding for Sex ed or inform abstinence only. In this day and time young people need all the help that we as adults can provide. Money for abstinence only sex ed programs is money come up spent. We need to support programs to alter our youth know the difference from alter and do by and to back up Virginia be a better state for tomorrow. Way to go Bolling! Those who do not accept in abstinence only teaching do not understand the ramifications of promoting “safe” sex through offering condoms and other bring forth control. Teens then falsely believe they are safe. The fact is that condoms do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases including HPV which causes cancer of the cervix. There is also a failure rate with condoms in regards to pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs teens must alter an abortion decision and if chosen will affect them adversely for the sell of their lives. Wake up Mr. Kaine! Oh big surprise here! Democrat Tim Kaine kills funding for abstinence programs in favor of funding Planned Abortion (aka “Planned Parenthood”). Hmmm isn’t is odd that Planned Abortion funds most democratic campaigns and isn’t it odd that Planned Abortion makes money selling abortions to teens. Very honorable decision. Democrat Kaine! My advice to anyone who cares about this issue is simple. Make some go!Write a earn to the editor of your local scandal pelt(s). Write to Governor Kaine and express your opposition. create verbally to your state delegates and senators as well. A groudswell of opposition is what is needed here. Hopefully we can compel the Governor out of thisdecision by crying out about this travesty loud enough that he cannot run from the notariety he will get from it. Our young populate be to experience the truth and that truth is: They must alter a decision to abstain from pre-maritial sex or not. They should be taught the facts and understand the consequences they will face if they choose to abstain or not. Do not deprive our young people by making them evaluate they do not have a choice. What is there to worry if abstinence is taught along with the so called. “safe sex myth.” Governor Kaine forbid playing politics with the future of our young people.

Republican Lt. Gov. account Bolling has a problem with Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine’s act to eliminate $275,000 in funding from the express budget that was to go to five nonprofit programs in Virginia that care abstinence-only sex-ed programs. “The only sure way to forbid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases is abstinence outside of a monogamous marital relationship and it is important that we clearly communicate this fact to parents and their children,” Bolling wrote in a earn to Kaine that his office made public today. Kaine last month submitted plans to destroy the funding that is a matching give for a federal program that provides funds to organizations and educate systems that offer abstinence-only education programs. Schools and organizations that do not acquire federal funding for their programs will be able to continue offering locally-based abstinence-only sex education. In an interview with The New Dominion on Wednesday. Kaine said his administration ordain “continue to focus our energies on abstinence-based programs - really promoting the ethical and moral values of abstinence. But you’ve got to give kids more information so that they alter wise decisions.” “The goal is to all we can to decelerate youngsters from getting involved in sexual activity and ending unwanted pregnancy. Abstinence-only programs don’t really do that,” Kaine said. In his earn. Bolling said that contrary to those assertions. “abstinence-only education programs undergo been proven to bring home the bacon in Virginia and throughout the nation.” “According to the Virginia Department of Health from 1995 to 2005 the period during which abstinence education has received significant funding and expansion. Virginia saw an 18.5 percent decrease in teen pregnancies while nationwide teen sexual activity fell from 54.1 percent to 46.8 percent,” Bolling wrote in the earn. “I encourage you to further analyse the efficacy of abstinence based education programs before eliminating express funding for these programs,” Bolling wrote. The problem with “safe sex” teaching is the young people are comfort exposed to the 100 plus STDs that are now out there. Also the emotional damage follows many of the young people for years. Either eliminate all funding for Sex ed or teach abstinence only. In this day and measure young populate be all the help that we as adults can provide. Money for abstinence only sex ed programs is money well spent. We need to support programs to make our youth experience the difference from alter and wrong and to help Virginia be a exceed state for tomorrow. Way to go Bolling! Those who do not believe in abstinence only teaching do not understand the ramifications of promoting “safe” sex through offering condoms and other birth hold back. Teens then falsely accept they are safe. The fact is that condoms do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases including HPV which causes cancer of the cervix. There is also a failure rate with condoms in regards to pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs teens must alter an abortion decision and if chosen ordain affect them adversely for the sell of their lives. Wake up Mr. Kaine! Oh big surprise here! Democrat Tim Kaine kills funding for abstinence programs in favor of funding Planned Abortion (aka “Planned Parenthood”). Hmmm isn’t is odd that Planned Abortion funds most democratic campaigns and isn’t it odd that Planned Abortion makes money selling abortions to teens. Very honorable decision. Democrat Kaine! My advice to anyone who cares about this air is simple. Make some noise!create verbally a earn to the editor of your local scandal pelt(s). Write to Governor Kaine and express your opposition. create verbally to your state delegates and senators as well. A groudswell of opposition is what is needed here. Hopefully we can compel the Governor out of thisdecision by crying out about this travesty loud enough that he cannot run from the notariety he ordain get from it. Our young people deserve to experience the truth and that truth is: They must make a decision to abstain from pre-maritial sex or not. They should be taught the facts and understand the consequences they will approach if they decide to abstain or not. Do not deprive our young populate by making them think they do not have a choice. What is there to fear if abstinence is taught along with the so called. “safe sex myth.” Governor Kaine stop playing politics with the future of our young people.

Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling has a problem with Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine’s move to eliminate $275,000 in funding from the state budget that was to go to five nonprofit programs in Virginia that administer abstinence-only sex-ed programs. “The only sure way to avoid unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases is abstinence outside of a monogamous marital relationship and it is important that we clearly communicate this fact to parents and their children,” Bolling wrote in a letter to Kaine that his office made public today. Kaine last month submitted plans to eliminate the funding that is a matching give for a federal program that provides funds to organizations and educate systems that offer abstinence-only education programs. Schools and organizations that do not receive federal funding for their programs will be able to act offering locally-based abstinence-only sex education. In an converse with The New Dominion on Wednesday. Kaine said his administration will “act to focus our energies on abstinence-based programs - really promoting the ethical and moral values of abstinence. But you’ve got to give kids more information so that they make wise decisions.” “The goal is to all we can to delay youngsters from getting involved in sexual activity and ending unwanted pregnancy. Abstinence-only programs don’t really do that,” Kaine said. In his letter. Bolling said that contrary to those assertions. “abstinence-only education programs undergo been proven to work in Virginia and throughout the nation.” “According to the Virginia Department of Health from 1995 to 2005 the period during which abstinence education has received significant funding and expansion. Virginia saw an 18.5 percent change magnitude in teen pregnancies while nationwide teen sexual activity fell from 54.1 percent to 46.8 percent,” Bolling wrote in the earn. “I back up you to advance review the efficacy of abstinence based education programs before eliminating state funding for these programs,” Bolling wrote. The problem with “safe sex” teaching is the young people are still exposed to the 100 plus STDs that are now out there. Also the emotional damage follows many of the young populate for years. Either eliminate all funding for Sex ed or teach abstinence only. In this day and time young people be all the help that we as adults can provide. Money for abstinence only sex ed programs is money well spent. We need to support programs to alter our youth know the difference from alter and wrong and to back up Virginia be a better state for tomorrow. Way to go Bolling! Those who do not believe in abstinence only teaching do not understand the ramifications of promoting “safe” sex through offering condoms and other birth hold back. Teens then falsely believe they are safe. The fact is that condoms do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases including HPV which causes cancer of the cervix. There is also a failure evaluate with condoms in regards to pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs teens must make an abortion decision and if chosen will affect them adversely for the remainder of their lives. Wake up Mr. Kaine! Oh big affect here! Democrat Tim Kaine kills funding for abstinence programs in favor of funding Planned Abortion (aka “Planned Parenthood”). Hmmm isn’t is odd that Planned Abortion funds most democratic campaigns and isn’t it odd that Planned Abortion makes money selling abortions to teens. Very honorable decision. Democrat Kaine! My advice to anyone who cares about this issue is simple. Make some go!create verbally a letter to the editor of your local scandal sheet(s). create verbally to Governor Kaine and convey your opposition. Write to your state delegates and senators as well. A groudswell of opposition is what is needed here. Hopefully we can shame the Governor out of thisdecision by crying out about this travesty loud enough that he cannot run from the notariety he ordain get from it. Our young people deserve to know the truth and that truth is: They must make a decision to forbear from pre-maritial sex or not. They should be taught the facts and understand the consequences they will approach if they decide to abstain or not. Do not deprive our young people by making them think they do not undergo a choice. What is there to worry if abstinence is taught along with the so called. “safe sex myth.” Governor Kaine forbid playing politics with the future of our young people.

There will be some out there who think this is a bad idea. I humbly submit that they are ignorant. There undergo been a number of studies on the efficacy of Abstinence-Only sex education all showing that they do nothing to delay initiation of sexual activity and some change surface indicating that they hurt people who are in them by not providing them with the tools to protect themselves. Often people who give this type of education claim that the only way to completely defend against something like HIV is to not undergo sex until you are in a committed responsible relationship. My challenge to them is – when are you going to stop fooling yourselves? many of these are easily treatable. Of cover only three are mandated for reporting – Chlamydia. Gonorrhea and Syphilis. The ones that are actually the most common are Genital Herpes. HPV and Trichomonas and these are not mandated for reporting so you can create by mental act how low the number given might be. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported infection with evidence suggesting around 2.8 million new cases a year. This is a completely treatable disease but they also estimate that 25% of women who are treated for this get re-infected within 3 to 6 months by their male partners. Something tells me we are not talking about this enough. it occurs commonly through serial monogamy whereas other places perhaps concurrent sexual relationships are more common. In areas where treatment options are extremely limited susceptibility to specific diseases changes. Infection with STDs often leaves exposed sores or ulcers. At times these may not be visible within the vagina for example. The presence of these alone can increase susceptibility to HIV infection. However there is more. The write of cell. CD4+ T-Cell that gets demolished by an HIV infection can only be infected by the virus when it is activated. These cells become activated in response to infection so while the be is fighting off syphilis or Chlamydia or whatever the immune system is at its most vulnerable to HIV infection. Why is this important? My friends who evaluate that Abstinence-Only sex education is a good idea are often the same ones who suggest that Africans have more HIV than the rest of the world because they can’t act it in their pants. The myth here is that Africans are more promiscuous than other people. I have not seen bear witness to support that. What I have seen here is a massive shortfall in basic healthcare and supplies to interact many things that we in the states.

There will be some out there who think this is a bad idea. I humbly submit that they are ignorant. There undergo been a be of studies on the efficacy of Abstinence-Only sex education all showing that they do nothing to delay initiation of sexual activity and some even indicating that they hurt people who are in them by not providing them with the tools to protect themselves. Often populate who support this write of education claim that the only way to completely protect against something like HIV is to not undergo sex until you are in a committed responsible relationship. My question to them is – when are you going to stop fooling yourselves? many of these are easily treatable. Of cover only three are mandated for reporting – Chlamydia. Gonorrhea and Syphilis. The ones that are actually the most common are Genital Herpes. HPV and Trichomonas and these are not mandated for reporting so you can imagine how low the number given might be. Chlamydia is the most commonly reported infection with bear witness suggesting around 2.8 million new cases a year. This is a completely treatable disease but they also calculate that 25% of women who are treated for this get re-infected within 3 to 6 months by their male partners. Something tells me we are not talking about this enough. it occurs commonly through serial monogamy whereas other places perhaps concurrent sexual relationships are more common. In areas where treatment options are extremely limited susceptibility to specific diseases changes. Infection with STDs often leaves exposed sores or ulcers. At times these may not be visible within the vagina for example. The presence of these alone can change magnitude susceptibility to HIV infection. However there is more. The type of cell. CD4+ T-Cell that gets demolished by an HIV infection can only be infected by the virus when it is activated. These cells change state activated in response to infection so while the be is fighting off syphilis or Chlamydia or whatever the immune system is at its most vulnerable to HIV infection. Why is this important? My friends who evaluate that Abstinence-Only sex education is a good idea are often the same ones who suggest that Africans have more HIV than the rest of the world because they can’t keep it in their pants. The myth here is that Africans are more promiscuous than other people. I have not seen evidence to support that. What I have seen here is a massive shortfall in basic healthcare and supplies to interact many things that we in the states.

… And thankfully governors who feel that it is important to locate express health policies on y’know facts. As a result of confirming that abstinence-only programs do not positively influence teen’s sexual behaviors while — — teaching students about condoms and birth hold back does prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has cut off express funding for abstinence-only programs to Kaine’s communications director. “The governor supports abstinence-based education but the governor wants to see us funding programs that are evidence-based.” We agree — bear witness is a good thing. Way to go. Governor Kaine! Virginia is now the 14th express to decline federal matching funds for call V abstinence-only programs. To receive call V funds states must require teachers to tell students that sex within marriage is “the expected standard of sexual activity” — which is both and until gay marriage is a reality casually denies all same-sex couples the right to have sex — and must bar teachers from discussing contraception except to mention its failure rates thereby denying young women the knowledge and resources they need to protect themselves when they do end to become sexually active. Also of say: a vast majority of Americans give comprehensive sex education. A national opinion survey sponsored by the National Women’s Law Center and Planned Parenthood Federation of America 76 percent of voters wanted to see U. S public schools teaching comprehensive sex education — including 83 percent of Democrats. 66 percent of Republicans. 76 percent of Independents. 78 percent of Catholics and 60 percent of evangelical Christians. Luckily. Governor Kaine understands that inaccurate irresponsible and discriminatory health education is not the alter policy for his state. After all — ! I pray for a time when all women regardless of age go or economic status undergo equal access to contraceptives as come up as comprehensive and medically accurate sexual education. I commune for a time in this country when public policy is no longer formed by reactionary conservative religious thought and where the voices of the majority of people of faith who overwhelmingly support comprehensive sexuality education are lifted higher within public discourse. Kudos to Governor Kaine for making the correct and responsible decision to reject state funding for abstinence-only education. Abstinence-only education is based upon fear and guilt and geared toward making young populate especially young women ashamed of their sexuality and ashamed of who they are - especially if they are gay lesbian bisexual or transgendered when the focus is on waiting until marriage. The core of abstinence-only education is an extremely un-Christlike message which neglects the teachings of inclusion acceptance and ultimately love. The reality is this: abstinence-only education does more harm than good. It miseducates young people about the effects of sex and sexuality changes statistics and figures about contraceptive usage to discourage safer sex practices and flat out lies about a variety of health concerns. I would highly advise you to construe Congressman Henry Waxman's report on ab-only policies in the United States. Among the misconceptions cited by Waxman's investigators: • One curriculum called "Me. My World. My Future," teaches that women who undergo an abortion "are more prone to suicide" and that as many as 10 percent of them change state sterile. This contradicts the 2001 edition of a standard obstetrics textbook that says fertility is not affected by elective abortion the Waxman inform said. And what has all of this abstinence-only education yielded? I can in good faith report on one thing: in the reproductive health handle we undergo seen an actual blow up in incidents of high-risk sexual behavior by teens and pre-teens including anal sex without condoms (because they're told condoms don't work). Let's face it: we're dealing with a PUBLIC HEALTH issue. You may find it in your beat interest to use prayer and self-control to temper your libido but that isn't everyone's wish. If young people are going to enter society as sexually active. I want to ensure they undergo everything they need to keep themselves healthy. We don't give young people licenses without teaching them about the importance of safety-belts because we recognize we have a societal obligation to keeping people healthy and safe. I appreciate the fact that you've worked out your own independent solution of "self-control" and "praying," but please do not accept for one second that your strategy can acquire everyone in this society because we all undergo different lives to lead. Another way to be "responsible" is to accurately quote investigate. It has NOT been proven that when contraceptives are available abortions increase. As reported in 'Induced Abortion: Estimated Rates and Trends Worldwide' (Sedgh et al. The Lancet 2007) and 'Relationships Between Contraception and Abortion: A Review of the bear witness' (Marston & Cleland. Intl Fam Plnng Persp 2003): "Rising contraceptive use results in reduced abortion incidence in settings where fertility itself is constant. The parallel go in abortion and contraception in some countries occurs because increased contraceptive use alone was unable to meet the growing need for fertility regulation in situations where fertility was falling rapidly." It is truly sad to see women such as yourself alter such comments. It is unfortunate that people actually evaluate that giving children condoms and birth control is actually the "responsible" thing to do. In reality you are only encouraging them to have sex. It has been proven that if you have more contraception available the abortions increase. How do I experience? Many people around our country know this thanks to the most recent Guttmacher Institute's study and you too can discover that there is a greater number of abortions where contraception is available. Look at the charts. Look at the graphs. The only way to be "responsible" is to learn abstinence and bring home the bacon on self-control. Not everyone is "doing it" there is a great be of teens and young adults who do practice abstinence. Organizations desire Planned Parenthood push sex and pornography on our teens and comments like these only encourages this behavior. You are not helping our young people you are making this grow of death exist.