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Abstinence-only-until-marriage programs are programs that are required to teach that remaining abstinent until marriage is the only way to protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.  These programs censor vital information on birth control and condom use, and have been found by experts to be ineffective in reducing teen pregnancy or delaying teens’ sexual activity.

On September 20, 2007, New York joined states such as Washington, California, and Ohio, tk, in rejecting Title V funds, one of the largest funding streams for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.  In a written statement announcing New York’s rejection of the funds, the Commissioner of Health, Richard Daines, characterized Title V, the main source of funding for these programs, as “an example of a failed national healthcare policy directive, based on ideology rather than on sound scientific- based evidence that must be the cornerstone of good public healthcare policy.”  The statement also announces that New York will redirect state matching funds to programs aimed at pregnancy prevention. 

The NYCLU has been fighting these biased and ineffective programs for many years.  Our report, Financing Ignorance: Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Funding in New York, reviews 33,000 pages of state and federal documents regarding programs in New York State.  We found widespread use of curricula that contain serious medical inaccuracies and employ fear-based teaching methods, a complete lack of evaluation or oversight, and a significant amount of funding awarded to religious groups without adequate safeguards against proselytizing. 

Please join us in applauding the State’s decision to reject this funding and support the health of New York’s youth with increased comprehensive sexuality education by sending a free fax to Governor Spitzer below.