Push for
abstinence education fails in Virginia

A push by Virginia lawmakers to strengthen abstinence education in state schools has failed as the measure was voted down by the state senate's education and health committee, The Washington Post reports. The bill would have created a family life curriculum that stressed abstinence as the "accepted norm" and the "only guarantee against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases," according to the Post. Abstinence instruction also would have encouraged "honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage," according to the bill's Republican sponsors.

State senators rejected the measure because they say the state's schools already are required to teach abstinence and additional emphasis on abstinence was unnecessary. The committee did agree, however, to hold the bill over for consideration in the next legislative session in 2007. (Advocate.com)