Ohio Governor Refuses Meeting with Abstinence Education Supporters
Columbus, OH (December 13, 2007) — Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has refused to meet with a small delegation of abstinence education supporters, which included a teacher and a teen representative who will be impacted as a result of the Governor's refusal to accept federal funds used to support abstinence education programs. The group wished to share its positive stories with the Governor, and ask him to reconsider his decision to reject free federal dollars available to the State of Ohio.
“We believe the Governor’s decision to deny the State abstinence funding is based on misinformation and distortions fueled by extreme, special interest groups," said Valerie Huber, Executive Director of the National Abstinence Education Association (NADA) and former head of Ohio’s Abstinence Education Program for the State's Department of Health.
“The Governor claims abstinence education does not work, and we wish to provide him with information on the more than ten published research studies that show the positive impact abstinence education has on young people, including teens who have previously been sexually active," said Huber. "These findings should be acknowledged by the Governor and not ignored."
On November 29, more than 400 parents, students and teachers gathered at the State Capitol as part of a Voice Your Choice! campaign in support of abstinence education. In Ohio's 88 counties, schools from 86 counties depend on federal funds to support abstinence education programs. Abstinence education is a risk-avoidance curriculum that provides medically accurate, age-appropriate information on contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, but always within the context that abstinence is the only way to avoid the physical and emotions risks of casual sex.
"I sincerely hope the governor will reconsider his refusal to meet with us. He needs to hear first-hand the good choices teens in Ohio are making because of the abstinence message that federal dollars help deliver to our schools," said Huber. "The Governor owes it the youth of Ohio to learn the facts about abstinence education, and ensure that this best health message about sex is available to teens."
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For more information:
http://abstinenceassociation.org/voiceyourchoiceohio/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Patra Stephan, Communications Director,
202.248.5420/
202-246-3822