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N.Y. to Drop
Abstinence-Only Sex Education

N.Y. to Drop
Abstinence-Only Sex Education

New York State will terminate federally funded abstinence-only contracts starting October 1, redirecting funds to expand science-based comprehensive sex education.

The state of New York will terminate federally funded abstinence-only contracts starting October 1, redirecting funds to expand science-based comprehensive sex education.

New York City-based group Gay Men's Health Crisis said in a press release that it called on commissioner Richard Daines and Gov. Elliot Spitzer to ensure schools across the state comply with the switch.

"With HIV infection rates rising steadily among young gay and bisexual men and heterosexual women of color, it is critical that we provide young people with the information and tools they need to protect themselves and stay healthy," Marjorie Hill, chief executive officer of GMHC, said in a statement.

The GMHC cited a 2003 study by New York assemblyman Scott Stringer that found that 63% of New York City schools failed to meet the city's requirement to offer sex education classes from certified health teachers. Stringer's analysis also revealed that requirements to give general health and age-appropriate HIV/AIDS instruction to children in every grade were not being satisfactorily met. (The Advocate)

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