In a few short weeks, students will be back in school across the state and most of them have one thing in common: they haven’t received comprehensive sex education.
For multiple years in a row, the majority of school districts have had their reproductive health curriculum rejected by the state, causing students to miss out on critical education about prevention and control of disease, healthy relationships, and prevention of teen dating violence and unintended pregnancies.
Now, the Trump Administration is threatening to make it exponentially worse.
- They defunded the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program and evidence-based education.
- Now, they’re prioritizing funding abstinence-only education (which we know doesn’t work!) and organizations which exclusively focus on fertility tracking and “reproductive goals counseling,” excluding conversations about birth control, sexuality, and consent.
If that sounds familiar, it’s right out of the playbook that unregulated pregnancy centers use: by restricting what factual information they distribute, they attempt to influence not only the personal medical decisions someone makes, but our culture overall. In fact, this new shift may even encourage unregulated pregnancy centers to apply for the funding too.
There’s already a lawsuit filed to try to stop this and here in Florida, there are a number of organizations supporting young people to receive the resources they need to make informed, healthy decisions for their bodies and their futures.
- The Florida Healthy Youth Alliance: A statewide coalition of medical, research, and education professionals who champion the health and overall well being of the youth in Florida within the K-12 education system.
- SIECUS: A leading national voice for sex education who just released their mid-year report on the state of sex-ed.
- EducateUS: A movement of voters laser-focused on advancing sex education across the country.
- Prism: A youth-led nonprofit that works to expand access to LGBTQ-inclusive education and sexual health resources for young people in South Florida.
This is just a fraction of the organizations who need our support in order to prepare students for the real world and shape the next generation. Join one today!
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Tampa Period Pantry: Help build up the stock of period and hygiene products to keep all 40 pantries (plus their Pads for Students program) full.
- Drop off unused/individually-wrapped or unopened-box products at: Disco Dolls (Tampa), Neighborhood Joe (St. Pete), or Kaleisia Tea (Tampa), or donate online here.
Florida Access Network’s Walmart Wishlist: FAN’s registry is currently short on gallon storage bags and diapers, sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6.
SoFlo Period Pantry: A new free period pantry is opening at White Rose Cafe (4703 SW 8 St, Miami, FL 33134; open Sun 11am–3pm, Mon 10am–3pm, Tues–Sat 10am–5pm) and they are especially in need of tampons and overnight pads.
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Events & Volunteer Opportunities:
Virtual and Statewide
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KNOW MEANS KNOW: New Organizing & Narrative Strategies for Trans Rights w/EducateUS
Tuesday, July 28th, 7:30pm – 8:30pm
Sign up here.
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A Panel on Confronting Pronatalism (International Childfree Day) w/Center for Biological Diversity & Population Balance
Thursday, July 30th, 12:00pm – 1:15pm
Register here.
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Pack with Purpose w/SoFlo Period Pantry, BeLoved Center & partners
Saturday, August 15th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm
UU Palm Beaches, North Palm Beach
Event details.
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Period Packing Party in Orlando w/Planned Parenthood and Hope CommUnity Center
Saturday, July 25th, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
Orlando
Sign up here.
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Diaper Packing Party w/Florida Access Network
Saturday, August 8th, 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Quakers of Orlando
Sign up here.
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Stronger Together: Community Health & Wellness Virtual Resource Fair w/Planned Parenthood of Florida & Come Out With Pride Orlando
Wednesday, August 26th, 11:00am – 2:00pm
Virtual, serving Osceola & Orange Counties
Register here.
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Central Florida Infant Feeding Support Roundtable w/Central Florida Birth Network
Sunday, August 30th at 6:00pm
Online event
Event details.
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