Abstinence-only-until-marriage grantees have a bad reputation for, among other things, lying to kids about condoms, pushing Christianity with public funding, and being openly anti-gay. Now — after numerous reports criticizing the content of their curricula (PDF), a government funded study showing their programs don't work (PDF), and 10 states actually turning away federal funding for programs they believe to be too strict and unworthy of the state resources required — you'd think the federal abstinence grantees would tone it down a bit.

Nope.

SIECUS, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, just released the Fiscal Year 2006 edition of the SIECUS State Profiles. In our research, we found countless examples of abstinence-only-until-marriage grantees spreading misinformation, using fear- and shame-based tactics, and promoting gender stereotypes and religion as fact in their curricula and on their websites.

If there is any up side to all of this, it's that state and national advocates for comprehensive sexuality education still have plenty of examples to illustrate the harmful nature of abstinence-only-until-marriage programs in our advocacy efforts. You know, like when the Democratic majority in the House proposes an increase in funding for these programs. (That's right, I said Democrats.)

We dug deep into the world of federal abstinence-only-until-marriage grantees to look at what they're telling kids on the internet and in the classroom — and unfortunately it is still as alarming as ever. (Disclaimer: While a grantee's website may or may not be paid for with federal dollars – we're comfortable bringing attention to their virtual fear- and shame- mongering. After all, are we to believe they clean up their act once they enter the classroom?)

Grantees' websites were abundant with disturbing messages for teens. For example, ATM (Abstinence ‘til Marriage) Education in Ohio describes a sexual assault situation in the "party room" section of its website, where one of the students, Rochelle, claims to be raped by Jason after the party. ATM Education gives several statements from the students at the party and then asks, "Based on all accounts, which story sounds least credible? Answer: Rochelle. She has made several questionable decisions. She has a motive to lie. She's been pinned [sic] reputation for being ‘loose.'" ATM gets over $600,000 in federal funding each year.

Another grantee, the Alpha Center (a CPC started by the infamous Leslee Unruh — see the South Dakota state profile for more information), tells young people that passion "can cause unplanned pregnancies, venereal diseases, abortion and much, much more." It goes on to say that "nobody wants to marry someone who has been the loving, meaningful relationship of 17 other guys. If sexual experience was necessary for love to grow between two people, everyone would want to marry a prostitute." Nice.

And, for the pregnant teen that (unluckily) comes across Care Net Pregnancy Center Lake Region's website, she'll find "marriage" listed as an alternative to abortion. She'll also be advised that "many young people don't realize that marriage is really an option in a crisis pregnancy" and that "getting married means that your baby has the benefit of their father's name and income."

Yes, really, your tax dollars go to these organizations.

What's more, even after Representative Waxman's (D-CA) report criticizing the content of federally funded curricula used by grantees, they continue to use some of the most biased and medically inaccurate curricula available to them.

The WAIT (Why Am I Tempted) Training curriculum (PDF), used by federal grantees in 14 states, erroneously lists "sweat" and "tears" under a column titled "At risk" for HIV transmission. Who, in this day in age, does not realize the damage done to young people — and HIV positive people — by telling Susie that she can get HIV from Jimmy's sweat and tears?

The Why kNOw curriculum, used by federal grantees in six states, tells kids that "the groom [is] the only man allowed to uncover the bride," and she demonstrates "her respect for him by illustrating that she [has] not allowed any other man to lay claim to her."

Teen-Aid, a grantee in Montana, produced and uses Sexuality, Commitment & Family and Me, My World, My Future. In one lesson in Sexuality, Commitment & Family, students write an essay titled "If Wombs Had Windows," in which they speculate how individuals and society might behave differently if, "we could see the unborn child developing in the womb." In the condom lesson from Me, My World, My Future, teachers compare using a condom to playing Russian roulette.

The examples go on and on …

The SIECUS State Profiles is a portrait of sexuality education and abstinence-only-until-marriage programs throughout all 50 states and the District of Columbia — and a pretty maddening (and motivating) read.