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Lobbying & Advocacy On Sex Education

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

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

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

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Campaigns have started! <ul><li>Everyone in election mode </li></ul><ul><li>Presidential concern for budget </li></ul>

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In their own words. . . <ul><li>“ [No one] “under 16 should be dating ever ever ever for any reason. You’re brain damaged, it gets better.” (Pam Stenzel) </li></ul><ul><li>“ One in 5 times condoms will fail for pregnancy.” ( Passion & Principles , Leader's Guide, 10) </li></ul><ul><li>“ 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 </li></ul>

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Abstinence Only = Bad Policy <ul><li>Waxman Report </li></ul><ul><li>Mathematica Report </li></ul>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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