Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth

Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth A statewide group of diverse youth and young adults working together to influence policies and programs that support sexual health. In partnership with AIDS Alabama, the Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, and Advocates for Youth, the Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth is a statewide initiative that works to bring atmospheric shift around sexual health and sex education in Alabama.
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This shift will ease changes in policies and programs at the state and local level, helping to ensure healthier lives for the youth of Alabama.

This shift will ease changes in policies and programs at the state and local level, helping to ensure healthier lives for the youth of Alabama.

Mission: Our mission is to improve the state of sexual health in youth across Alabama through advocacy efforts.

Hey all! Please vote NO on Amendment 2! #NoOn2
11/06/2018

Hey all! Please vote NO on Amendment 2! #NoOn2

ACLU
02/24/2018

ACLU

If you think your rights are being violated, contact your local ACLU affiliate at aclu.org/affiliates.

“Today’s ruling is a victory for women, for young people, and for reproductive health in Alabama,” said Andrew Beck, sen...
07/31/2017
ACLU-AL Statement on Reproductive Health Services v. Marshall

“Today’s ruling is a victory for women, for young people, and for reproductive health in Alabama,” said Andrew Beck, senior staff attorney with the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project. “By undermining their confidentiality, this law put teenagers participating in the judicial bypass process in real danger.”

One example of the dangers facing minors because of this law came last week, with the story of a 12 year old victim who was raped and impregnated by an adult relative. Even though the initial trial court granted her an abortion without parental consent, the district attorney appealed the decision. The minor has since won the appeal to obtain an abortion but her ability to obtain an abortion was delayed by the involvement of the district attorney."

MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- On Friday, a federal judge ruled that an Alabama law restricting abortion services for minors was unconstitutional.

Healthy Teen Network
07/14/2017
Healthy Teen Network

Healthy Teen Network

Cutting off money midway through multiyear research projects is highly unusual and wasteful. “They don’t like to deal with the sexual reproductive health of teens. They frame it in this country as moral issues. Public health issues shouldn’t be political issues.” -Healthy Teen Network President & CEO Pat Paluzzi

06/06/2017
Equinox

Happy Pride Month (loving this message, while also wishing Asexual was the A)

Six letters will never be enough. For this year’s Pride, we collaborated with The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, NYC’s home and hub for the LGBTQA community, to create a film celebrating the entire LGBTQAlphabet—twenty-six ways to share who you are and how you love. Because all voices deserve to be heard. #PoweredByPride

HB505 would update the state sex ed law and remove homophobic language from it. If you believe all Alabama youth deserve...
05/17/2017
Tell the Alabama House to vote YES on HB505!

HB505 would update the state sex ed law and remove homophobic language from it. If you believe all Alabama youth deserve accurate and inclusive sexual health education, contact your state representatives using the link below!

Enter your info to take action!

Great article about non-binary and gender non-conforming youth!
05/04/2017
A New Generation Overthrows Gender

Great article about non-binary and gender non-conforming youth!

Parents, schools and elected officials are working to catch up and adapt to the needs of children and teens who don't fit into familiar gender categories.

Transgender Law Center
05/01/2017
Transgender Law Center

Transgender Law Center

"It took me many years, to accept, to fully internalize, that if someone can look at me and tell I'm trans, that's not only okay—that's beautiful, because trans is beautiful. I am not beautiful despite my big hands, my big feet, my wide shoulders, my height, my deep voice and all the things that make me beautifully and noticeably trans. I am beautiful because of those things." - Laverne Cox

The hard work of our youth activists, adult allies and legislative champions is paying off! We're so proud today!!!
04/27/2017
Sex education reform bill passes House committee

The hard work of our youth activists, adult allies and legislative champions is paying off! We're so proud today!!!

Rep. Patricia Todd's bill to use "evidence-based" sex ed curriculum was approved by the House Education Policy Committee.

04/26/2017

We are so excited to share a big victory today!!

HB505, the bill to update the language, and to remove the homophobia in the Sexual Health Education law passed the House Education Policy Committee today! Next, it will go to the House floor for a vote! Keep an eye out for some action items, and contact your State Representative to ask them to vote yes on HB505!

GLSEN's 10th National School Climate Survey is out! Participation in this survey is incredibly important to our understa...
04/21/2017
LGBTQ Youth, Take GLSEN's National School Climate Survey!

GLSEN's 10th National School Climate Survey is out! Participation in this survey is incredibly important to our understanding of the experiences of LGBTQ youth in schools. We encourage all LGBTQ students 13 and up to consider being part of this!

If you attended high school or middle school sometime during the last school year (2016-2017), identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and are at least 13 years old, tell us about your experiences in school.

Why, for HIV, Undetectable = Untransmittable
04/21/2017
Why, for HIV, Undetectable = Untransmittable

Why, for HIV, Undetectable = Untransmittable

People living with HIV on effective treatment and who have an undetectable viral load have a negligible risk of sexual transmission of HIV. Here's why.

At UAB with URGE at UAB, ACLU of Alabama and SHAPE
04/13/2017

At UAB with URGE at UAB, ACLU of Alabama and SHAPE

Anytown is an amazing experience!! You should apply!
04/08/2017
Children's Policy Council of Jefferson County Alabama

Anytown is an amazing experience!! You should apply!

Anytown Alabama Teen Leadership Institute
Accepting Teen Applications
Deadline April 14th
June 4-10, 2017

YWCA Central Alabama and NCCJ of Alabama are proud to offer Anytown Alabama Teen Leadership Summit, an incredible and intensive week-long program for high school students.

Anytown is a place where students from all over the Greater Birmingham area live together and learn from each other’s experiences. Students participate in stimulating and interactive activities that address realities that they experience in their schools and communities.

Students learn about and celebrate all kinds of differences like race, gender, religion, and neighborhood. Being selected to attend Anytown not only looks great on college applications and resumes but also truly prepares students to find their voices and be leaders in their schools and beyond. A week spent at Anytown allows students to connect with a diverse group of people, engage with real world issues, and emerge as leaders.

Send in your application by April 14th to experience the most life changing week of your summer…and maybe your life! Follow this link to apply. For more information, contact Rebecca Harkless at [email protected] or 205.322.9922 Ext 184.

Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth's cover photo
04/05/2017

Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth's cover photo

Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth
04/05/2017

Alabama Alliance for Healthy Youth

03/31/2017
Ygender

Happy TDOV (Trans Day of Visibility)!

Welcome to Trans 101, our brand new series on Gender Diversity! In video one we dive into being Trans, Gender Identity, and what it's all about!

https://trans101.org.au

It Gets Better Project
03/30/2017

It Gets Better Project

This.

Until recently, Utah had a similar law to Alabama's which restricted discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools. If Utah can ...
03/22/2017
Wipe anti-gay law off Alabama's books

Until recently, Utah had a similar law to Alabama's which restricted discussion of LGBTQ issues in schools. If Utah can repeal theirs, so can Alabama!

"The state's no promo homo law is discriminatory and it does real harm to youth who already face bullying and isolation in school. Lawmakers who want to provide the best education to all students should take note of what's proven possible in Utah, and have the courage to stand up for inclusivity and reason in Alabama."

As Human Rights Watch has documented, laws like Alabama's have terrible consequences for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) kids in schools.

Earlier this month, youth from across Alabama converged in Montgomery to advocate for sexual health education that is ac...
03/21/2017

Earlier this month, youth from across Alabama converged in Montgomery to advocate for sexual health education that is accurate and LGBTQ-inclusive. Youth Advocacy Day 2017 was a powerful display of what Alabama youth can do!

What a powerful group of young people we got to hang out with today!!
03/09/2017

What a powerful group of young people we got to hang out with today!!

Our dope youth activists Destiny and Sam meeting with their legislators and advocating for better sex education!
03/09/2017

Our dope youth activists Destiny and Sam meeting with their legislators and advocating for better sex education!

"Abstinence-only programs not only dictate particular choices to young people (no sex until marriage, only heterosexual ...
03/08/2017
The Center for Sex Education

"Abstinence-only programs not only dictate particular choices to young people (no sex until marriage, only heterosexual marriage can be considered marriage, you’re “damaged goods” if you have sex, getting pregnant as a teen condemns you to a life of poverty, etc.) without regard to their lived experiences, they also perpetuate the endorsement of ideological over educational content. Program content that intentionally or inherently withholds or misconstrues information is not education."

This is why we'll be in Montgomery on Thursday for Youth Advocacy Day!

"So much of what is ignored in abstinence-only programs is centered around systemic inequities that people of color, those with low-incomes, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and other marginalized communities face. Abstinence-only programs—and, to a greater extent than should make sex ed advocates comfortable, disease and pregnancy prevention evidence-based programs—expect a young person to ignore their whole self and their lived experience to get information in a vacuum.

On the other hand, comprehensive sexuality education addresses a young person’s lived experience and says 'I see you. All of you. And you deserve to be treated with dignity and respect so that you can live a healthy, fulfilled life that is right for you.'"

StoryCorps
03/04/2017
StoryCorps

StoryCorps

Gabe, age 8, was initially worried about telling his mom that he was transgender. #ICYMI on NPR Morning Edition, listen as they share how that conversation went.

Check out this event from our friends at UA! The students who participated in the Walk of Shame marched to raise awarene...
02/28/2017
UA "Walk of Shame" increases sexual assault awareness | The Crimson White

Check out this event from our friends at UA! The students who participated in the Walk of Shame marched to raise awareness of sexual assault and rape culture on campus.

From "the walk of shame" to slt shaming, women's rights activists have found much to take issue with on college campuses. At one event over the weekend, the members of Not On My Campus addressed why society equates sex appeal with shame.

02/24/2017
ACLU

ACLU

We want trans students across the country and their parents to know the law is on your side, and we at the ACLU won't stop fighting for you.

Brené Brown
02/24/2017

Brené Brown

"I exist. I have a right to exist in public places." YES.

Address


General information

As one of the 8 states in the Cultural Advocacy and Mobilization Initiative by Advocates for Youth, our goals echo its purpose: "change society’s dysfunctional approach to sexual health and to assist state and local organizations in the implementation of science-based comprehensive sex education policies."

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Videos

Running through the State House like...BAD SEX ED HAS GOT TO GO! #Vision4ALSexEd #YAD2016

In this video, Youth Council Member Megan talks about how abstinence-only education was the only option she and her peers had when it came to sex ed. Abstinence-only education has not been shown prevent young people from having sex. Comprehensive sex education is evidence-based and gives youth the tools to make safe, responsible decisions in their loves. Youth deserve the full truth about their sexual health. #SexEdNightmares

Not all sex ed nightmares are told in school. In this video, Challen shares her experience learning about sex from a neighbor. #sexednightmares

Check out YLC member Catherine talking about how her sex ed class fell short when discussing unintended pregnancy! Young people deserve to know about all their options when it comes to pregnancy--parenting, adoption, and yes, abortion. Youth deserve the whole truth from sex ed. #SexEdNightmares

YLC member Micah talks about how her sex ed class addressed unhealthy relationships in a way that was dramatic but not entirely helpful. Sometimes unhealthy and abusive relationships are hard to identify. Comprehensive ex ed can give young people the tools to spot them. #SexEdNightmares

Have you ever heard the lie that if you have sex standing up, you won't get pregnant? When young people don't get reliable information, they can sometimes fill in the gaps with myths. YLC member Shante tells us how. #SexEdNightmares

ICYMI: Matt talks about how his sex ed class erased and stigmatized LGBTQ people. #sexednightmares

Listen to YLC member Elaina talk about how minimal her sex ed experience was and how that could have affected the trajectory of her life. #SexEdNightmares

In this video, YLC member Nina remembers how her sex ed class portrayed people living with HIV. One in 4 new HIV infections occurs in youth ages 13-24. And of those youth, 60% do not know that they are infected. Sex ed that demonizes people living with HIV rather than emphasizing prevention and testing has real consequences for young people. #SexEdNightmares

Check out Youth Council member Brittany Agee's #SexEdNightmares! Shaming young people for being sexually active will not help them make the decisions that are right and healthy for them

In this video, Youth Leadership Council member Annabeth Olivia Mellon talks about how her sex education class handled (or mishandled) the subject of puberty. It's a real nightmare. Share your own story using the hashtag #sexednightmares!

Want to know more about our Sex Ed Nightmares campaign? Check out this short intro by Lisa Moyer! Be sure to share your worst sex education experiences and tag them with #sexednightmares. On Halloween night, the top three scariest, most cringe-worthy posts will earn a free swag bag, complete with gift cards, t-shirts, and safe-sex supplies.

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Please join us for the upcoming webinar event:
You're invited to an upcoming webinar. Youth & Adolescent Mental Health May 14th, 2:30-3:30 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/youth-and-adolescent-mental-health-tickets-103133370688 We hope to see you there!