Sex Act Campaign, January, 2005

In December 2004, U.S. Representative Henry Waxman's office issued a report entitled "The Content of Federally Funded Abstinence Only Education Programs" which found that 11 out of 13 federally-funded abstinence-only curricula used in 25 states contain medically innaccurate or misleading information about sex.

The factual errors found in these programs include:

• Condoms are ineffective 15% of the time.
• Half of gay male teenagers in the U.S. have tested positive for the AIDS virus.
• HIV can be transmitted through sweat and tears.
• Chlamydia causes heart disease.
• In relationships, women need "financial support," while men need "admiration." And "Women gauge their happiness and judge their success on their relationships. Men's happiness and success hinge on their accomplishments."
• Mutual masturbation can lead to pregnancy.
• Abortion causes sterility and suicide.

"I don't think we ought to lie to our children about science. Something is seriously wrong when federal tax dollars are being used to mislead kids about basic health facts," said Representative Waxman.

Take Action:

Children and teens deserve honest answers to their questions about their bodies and sexuality. Please write to Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, to denounce flawed abstinence-only programs and show your support for comprehensive sex education for American children.

Tommy Thompson
Secretary of Health and Human Services
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W
Washington, D.C. 20201
secretary@hhs.gov

Read More:

• You can read the entire text of the report entitled "The Content of Federally Funded Abstinence-Only Education Programs" at www.henrywaxman.house.gov/
• You can also read a report commissioned by Rep. Waxman on "Politics and Science in the Bush Administration" which includes information about the efficacy of abstinence-only education at: www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience/pdfs/pdf_politics_and_science_rep.pdf