MAP Advocate
AIDS Advocacy Update
Vol. 6 No. 2 (February 3, 2000)
In this issue:
STD Prevention Bill Introduced
78% of Minnesota Voters Support STD Funding
Preserving Comprehensive Sexual Health Education
Take Action! Contact the Governor and legislators
regarding STD prevention
On the day when 200 HIV advocates came to the State Capitol for AIDS Action Day, a bill was introduced in the Minnesota Senate and House calling for $2.6 million to help break the link between STDs and HIV. Lead authors are Sen. Pat Piper (DFL-Austin) and Rep. Lee Greenfield (DFL-Minneapolis). Chances for passing the bill in the Senate are good. House leadership is not expected to be supportive. Governor Ventura has said he opposes any funding to meet urgent needs through a supplemental appropriation bill in 2000.
When asked if less than one-half of one percent of the state's budget surplus should be used for STD prevention, registered voters in Minnesota say "yes" - resoundingly. 78% supported STD prevention funding. 51% said more should be spent on HIV prevention, while 37% said current funding was about right. The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, Inc. of Washington, D.C. between January 29 through January and has a 4 percentage point margin of error.
The Minnesota Family Council has announced plans to continue its assault on comprehensive sexual health education. They have also been snooping through the Department of Health's files about groups providing HIV prevention services targeting gay and bisexual men. Minnesotan's do not support the Family Council's call for one-size-fits-all, abstinence-only-until-marriage sex education. 61% of those polled supported the statement "Young people are going to explore their sexuality as a natural part of growing up, and the best approach is to provide complete and accurate information to help them act responsibly." 71% approved of using public funds for specific and sexually detailed HIV prevention services targeting gay and bisexual men.
So you couldn't come to the State Capitol for AIDS Action Day.
That's ok.
You can still have an impact.
Contact the Governor and your State Senator and Rep to let them know you support using part of the budget surplus for STD prevention.
* Send an e-mail.
* Send a fax.
* Send a letter.
* Make a phone call.
Check out MAP's web site to find out how to contact your lawmakers, or give us a call.
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Last Updated:
Friday, March 30, 2007
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