Lobbying & Advocacy On Sex Education

2006 midterm elections and reproductive justice more reproductive rights supporters in Congress friends in top leadership positions in House and the Senate pro-choice members remain a minority

more reproductive rights supporters in Congress

friends in top leadership positions in House and the Senate

pro-choice members remain a minority

Good and Bad Some good things: vote to overturn the Global Gag vote funding for Title X national family planning program vote to repeal abstinence-only restrictions for HIV prevention programs Some bad things: Democrats support ineffective abstinence-only-until-marriage programs Susan Orr appointed to head nation’s family planning program

Some good things:

vote to overturn the Global Gag

vote funding for Title X national family planning program

vote to repeal abstinence-only restrictions for HIV prevention programs

Some bad things:

Democrats support ineffective abstinence-only-until-marriage programs

Susan Orr appointed to head nation’s family planning program

But nothing has really happened Everything tied up in mega bills President threatens vetos: “You’re fixin’ to see what they call a fiscal showdown in Washington:”

Everything tied up in mega bills

President threatens vetos: “You’re fixin’ to see what they call a fiscal showdown in Washington:”

Campaigns have started! Everyone in election mode Presidential concern for budget

Everyone in election mode

Presidential concern for budget

In their own words. . . “ [No one] “under 16 should be dating ever ever ever for any reason. You’re brain damaged, it gets better.” (Pam Stenzel) “ One in 5 times condoms will fail for pregnancy.” ( Passion & Principles , Leader's Guide, 10) “ Research confirms that 14 percent of the women who use condoms scrupulously for birth control become pregnant within a year.” Choosing the Best, The Big Talk Book

“ [No one] “under 16 should be dating ever ever ever for any reason. You’re brain damaged, it gets better.” (Pam Stenzel)

“ One in 5 times condoms will fail for pregnancy.” ( Passion & Principles , Leader's Guide, 10)

“ Research confirms that 14 percent of the women who use condoms scrupulously for birth control become pregnant within a year.” Choosing the Best, The Big Talk Book

Abstinence Only = Bad Policy Waxman Report Mathematica Report

Waxman Report

Mathematica Report

REAL ACT What Does It Do Create the ONLY funding stream for sex education that teaches about the benefits of contraception and abstinence.

What Does It Do

Create the ONLY funding stream for sex education that teaches about the benefits of contraception and abstinence.

REAL ACT A Wise Investment Funds programs that research shows can work. Funds programs that young people, teachers, and medical experts support. Funds programs to prepare young people with information and skills they will use the rest of their lives.

A Wise Investment

Funds programs that research shows can work.

Funds programs that young people, teachers, and medical experts support.

Funds programs to prepare young people with information and skills they will use the rest of their lives.

Lobbying is no mystery Lobbying is: trying to influence those who make policies that affect our lives You can make a difference: Legislators want to be re-elected our opponents have defied reality and turned the world on its head. Speaking from a faith perspective

Lobbying is: trying to influence those who make policies that affect our lives

You can make a difference:

Legislators want to be re-elected

our opponents have defied reality and turned the world on its head.

Speaking from a faith perspective

Goals of lobbying To educate and change minds To develop relationships with policymakers and their staffs To become a resource for trusted information

To educate and change minds

To develop relationships with policymakers and their staffs

To become a resource for trusted information

Legislator classification Champions: leaders; bill sponsors Allies: legislators on your side but not activists Fence Sitters: the uncommitted Mellow Opponents: against the issue, but not actively so Hard Core Opponents: those lawmakers who are leading your opposition.

Champions: leaders; bill sponsors

Allies: legislators on your side but not activists

Fence Sitters: the uncommitted

Mellow Opponents: against the issue, but not actively so

Hard Core Opponents: those lawmakers who are leading your opposition.

Your meeting Identify yourself, the organization you represent and the issue you’re interested in Thank him/her for taking the time to see you Explain why you support this legislation Support your views with facts and stories Say what action you’d like taken and why Ask what happens next Send a thank you

Identify yourself, the organization you represent and the issue you’re interested in

Thank him/her for taking the time to see you

Explain why you support this legislation

Support your views with facts and stories

Say what action you’d like taken and why

Ask what happens next

Send a thank you

Things to remember Know about the legislator Keep your message simple: focus on one issue YOU DON”T HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT Engage the person in a conversation

Know about the legislator

Keep your message simple: focus on one issue

YOU DON”T HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT

Engage the person in a conversation