Whoever said there was only one way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases??? A game of conventional dodge ball allowed me to teach college students about STDs, contraceptives, and the affects access to birth control can have on a population.

Oversized fishing nets and toy shields were used to represent contraceptives, and the balls represented various sexually transmitted infections. The teams of course threw the balls at each other…, but the teammates that carried protection were able to avoid being hit.  If students didn’t hold nets to catch the balls or shields to block them, they were left vulnerable.

We discussed a concept that was fairly new to me: “Access to Contraceptives.”  We laid out the parameters of the dodge ball playing area.  We set up about a dozen shields and nets in clusters to represent the locations that provide contraceptives and the limited access to them.  That meant that only players that started the game off closest to the piles were capable of accessing the hypothetical contraceptives.  Like the limited supply of shields and nets provided during the game, actual contraceptive access is limited to proximity and availability.  The next game we played we removed two of the piles.  This represented the reduction of access outside of business hours.

Contraceptive access is an ongoing issue that has to be dealt with, but it will not happen overnight.  Contraceptives are more readily available in areas where there are high densities of people.  We have to figure a way out to make them more accessible to rural areas.  We have to make sure that pharmacists can’t deny the sale of contraceptives to people who wish to buy them- which they can and do do! 

The lack of access to healthcare and scientifically accurate information is a prime reason many are deprived of accurate information.  We have to find more ways to reach all South Carolinians, as well as continue to increase involvement and education in the urban areas.

For Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. founder’s week we collaborated with Tell Them and SWARM to conduct a sexual health awareness game to further educate college students of the importance of access and education on sexual health issues. Pretty much all of the students proved interested and even signed up to receive notifications and help with upcoming events.

This high energy and impact game allowed students to learn and work up a sweat. We had a great time, and I definitely plan to organize this game again!

Students will be able to schedule their work for SWARM around their personal and educational schedules.  Listed on the application are required meetings that every council member must attend.

Council members should anticipate at least 2 hours per week, but if the council member sets large goals, many more hours could be necessary.

In the scheme of things — considering American taxpayers’ preoccupation with the economy, war, a presidential election, and various other distractions — it’s unlikely that a lot of attention will be paid to one Utah family’s personal prosperity over the last twelve years thanks in part to their relationship with Heritage Community Services, Inc. a family-owned abstinence-only-until-marriage business  headquartered near Charleston, South Carolina.  Yet the stories of the savvy entrepreneurs who seized the opportunity to get-rich-quick provided by the rise of an abstinence-only-until-marriage industry continue to fascinate those of us who work in reproductive/sexual health. So meet Stan and Maryanne Weed….

When the Weeds filed the 1998 federal tax return for the Institute for Research & Evaluation, the nonprofit business they had created ten years earlier, they reported net assets of $2,086. The Institute operated out of the Weeds’ three-bedroom home at 6068 S. Jordan Canal Road in Taylorsville, Utah, just outside Salt Lake City and a stone’s throw from Taylorsville’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

By 2000, according to their IRS Form 990, they had established a relationship with Focus On The Family, a prominent Christian-right activist organization and an influential proponent of social conservative policy.  That same year, their program service revenues jumped to $254,826 and Stan and Maryanne Weed were paid $153,850. Around the same time, Heritage Community Services hired Stan Weed to document the effectiveness of their own abstinence-only-until-marriage curriculum. According to IRS 990 filings, Heritage paid the Institute a lot of money over a series of years.

Fast forward to 2010, when the Institute for Research & Evaluation reported net assets of $1,067,640. What happened  between 1998 and 2010 to grow their assets by over $1 million is well documented on the Institute’s IRS 990 filings, which are available via Guidestar, www.guidestar.com and other public resources. The short story is that, as more and more federal and state funds — (that is to say, your and my tax dollars) — have been directed toward abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, Stan Weed has built a lucrative business out of his home by being the go-to- guy to “prove” that your homegrown abstinence-only-until-marriage programs work. If you are an abstinence-only vendor, attempting to convince your state government that you deserve another big grant, you absolutely love Stan Weed. His evaluations read like scholarly articles  —  (he earned a PhD at the University of Washington in 1978) — and so one must be willing to lift the veil to understand not only the shared ideologies between Dr. Weed and his customers, but also the symbiotic economic relationships (loads of revenue for both parties).

Why do we care? For starters, Heritage Community Services, Inc. is an aggressive organization that uses evaluations such as the above, as well as other means, to gain entry into South Carolina schools.  The more schools, the more potential revenue. The Charleston school district’s Health Advisory Committee, for example, is barely functional at this writing, due to a relentless campaign to undermine high school-level reproductive health instruction based upon evaluated, medically accurate age-appropriate curricula recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meanwhile, as adults argue, point fingers and value greed over young peoples’ health, teens in Charleston’s high schools and high schools across the state continue to get pregnant.

If each side would agree to lay down their swords in the best interest of the state’s young people, the greater good, then perhaps we could agree to teach abstinence through middle school, but then teach science-based, comprehensive education in Grades 9-12, the time when more than half of our teens report becoming sexually active. Heritage Community Services and other abstinence-only-until-marriage vendors could maintain their revenue streams, however the quid pro quo would be that high school students finally get a consistently high-quality learning opportunity:  They could actually be taught about birth control and family planning. They would actually know how to prevent pregnancies.

Is this too much to hope for?

By Emily Rogers, a member of the SWARM Youth Council and student at the College of Charleston

My liberal (arts) college allows us to distribute condoms out in the open in the center of campus or anywhere really. But, there’s finesse to how to do give them away. In a school of 10,000 undergraduates you’d think they’d get picked up by the handful regardless of the situation. But I’ve learned it’s not always so easy.  Why don’t some college students take FREE condoms!?

Shame. Embarrassment. Apathy. Misinformation. All of the above?

I’ve gone out a few times to hand condoms out somewhere where I’ve set up a table.  I’ve even dressed up and in costumes to make people less weary.  But some students walk past me without making eye contact.  I’ve been told: “my girlfriend is on the pill, so we don’t have to worry,” and some tell me their boyfriends take care of that.

My response to those students and all young people…. there is no shame in safe sex, it never hurts to be doubly careful, and ladies take your health in your own hands! Carry condoms– especially if they’re free.

But a little advice I do have is to be bold while handing condoms out.  The night I wore a kitty costume was a pretty big success.  The other time when I went to the Colbert Rally (Yeah, that was here.) I got a complete stranger to hold a huge foam board with the phrase “FREE CONDOMS” on one side and “SC NEEDS REAL SEX-ED” on the other.  People flocked to me.  I gave out 500+ condoms in just a matter of an hour or two.  Ha. As the band walked by about half of them came over and snagged a couple.

So, it’s good to have them readily available in your living space where your guests can just take one or two, but if you make it a “BIG TO-DO,” it’ll take on a life of its own.  You’ll be out of stock before you can say: “Great American Condom Campaign!!!”

The film begins in Denmark, where Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) convinces her friend Baron Bror von Blixan (Klaus Maria Brandauer) to enter into a marriage of convenience, and the pair moves to Kenya to begin work on their coffee plantation.

Early into their marriage, Karen discovers Bror’s marital infidelities by contracting syphilis. She returns to Denmark for a treatment of arsenic, but ultimately becomes sterile because of the seriousness of the infection. She returns to Africa and begins a passionate affair with Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford), a local big-game hunter.

Out of Africa received 28 awards including 7 Oscars and was ranked #13 on the America Film Institute’s list “100 Years 100 Passions.” The film is loosely based off of Karen Blixen’s book (written under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen.)

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that has a tremendous impact on the real-life Karen Blixen. Her father committed suicide, apparently because he was diagnosed with syphilis. When Karen contracts the infection herself, she is forced to leave Africa for intense treatment which included mercury and arsenic – the standard treatments for syphilis at that time. There are reports that Karen suffered from mercury poisoning, and that the syphilis degenerated her nervous system throughout her life.

Syphilis rates are on the rise in the United States. Unprotected sex by an infected person make the transmission of HIV two to five times more likely. South Carolina ranks 26th out of 50 states for Syphilis rates. STI rates are highest in South Carolina’s poorest and most rural counties, where access to reproductive health services are minimal or nonexistent.

April is Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month. Most STDs are treatable, if not curable, if caught early. Get yourself tested and (if needed) treated – then rent Out of Africa and settle in for a great film.

Download the application here

This event will bring together people from across the state to celebrate the power of women. According to Unitewomen.org, this is the first time in American history that a simultaneous rally will be happenings in all 50 states!

Join us on Saturday, April 28th, from 11am-1pm at the South Carolina Statehouse

By Sarah DuRussel-Weston, a member of the SWARM Youth Council for Policy Change and graduate student at the University of South Carolina

I’m not sure if you’ve heard the buzz about bees at USC… (Sorry, I just CANNOT ignore a pun when I see one!). Students With A Responsible Message (S.W.A.R.M) have established a presence on campus, and we’ve been awfully busy making a name for ourselves. Since we began meeting in January of 2012, we’ve had 7 meetings already, and we will have 3 more before the semester is through.

As mentioned in a previous blog, we had a Film Screening where students from all sorts of majors and walks of life came to watch “Let’s Talk About Sex.”  SWARM USC met up with the rest of the SWARM Council at Bee Day where we talked to our legislators about the common sense about teaching Comprehensive Sex Education- which we commanded the attention of senators and representatives. We recently met up at Walk-A-Mile In Her Shoes which rose awareness for Sexual Assault and Rape Prevention. We represented the necessity for Comprehensive Sex Education in South Carolina Public Schools at Project Condom USC. We participated and helped out our council members from Clemson and Converse at Project Condom Upstate. The list goes on and on. I’m telling you: this campus organization is already getting a life of its own. 

The officials have been selected for next (though we’ll let them introduce themselves in a future blog.). The Buzz is growing. Students at USC are joining the conversation to only fund Comprehensive Sex Education in South Carolina with the 11,000+ Tell Them members and the other SWARM groups sprouting out all across the state.

We may have a road ahead of us to complete this necessary milestone in South Carolina, but we’re not backing down. Make note of SWARM. You’re going to be seeing a lot more of us.  We’ve only gotten started.”

By Emily Rogers, a member of the SWARM Youth Council and student at the College of Charleston

Dear 15-year-old Emily,

First of all, kudos for you for getting the HPV vaccine (and kudos to your mom for being so awesome by supporting it)! It’s all about preventative care. About now you are finishing your freshman year of high school and, wow, has it been intense.

Your best friend will reveal to you that she had decided to have sex with her boyfriend who’s also a freshman. At this point the only sex education either of you have had was in middle school and that was just anatomy. You’ll have to wait until next year to learn about condoms, STIs, and to watch an awkward breast self-examination video. Your friend’s chosen method of birth control is called the “pull-out” method? (Um… FYI it’s completely unreliable at best.) She doesn’t know about anything else. I’m not gonna tell you if she gets pregnant or an STI.  You’ll just have to educate yourself the best ways you can figure out and do your best to explain to your friends that they need to too. Forget the whole thing about young people giving “bad” information. You’re probably the best source of education most of those girls will ever have.

You are a lucky girl; your parents are all about education. They will answer any questions you have (and your dad will make it uncomfortable, but he can’t help it). You are in the minority of teens whose parents are open about sexual health. You lucked out.

My advice to you would be to share that knowledge with your peers: those who are not able to speak with their parents about sex and those who are at risk for teen pregnancy, or STIs, and not to mention the emotions that go along with sex. You should start practicing now, because you’ll be a part of SWARM in college. There you’ll continue to educate your peers and convince them the “pull-out” method ain’t got nothing on condoms! But you’re gonna do even better than that… you’re going to change things. You’re going to be one of thousands of sparks to ignite a change where you live. You’re going to help make sure that no 9th grader ever uses the “pull-out” method without knowing that she should be using a condom.

Keep your head high. There’s a lot more going on than sex, though that seems to be what everyone’s doing and talking about. Your history test, for instance, next week is going to get you grounded unless you actually sit down and read the chapter!

Oh, one last thing—You’re awesome in every way.

With love, 21-year-old Emily

DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION HERE

Council Goals:

1. 1. Raise awareness among South Carolina youth about the need for STI and pregnancy prevention efforts for themselves and other young people.
2. 2. Advocate improving sex education policies that effect students in South Carolina and other policy priorities.
3. 3. Empower other youth to get involved in their communities.
4.   

What can YOU expect?

• • $100 per month stipend
• • Meet, work with, and learn from amazing young leaders across the state and country
• • Gain information and skills that you will be able to capitalize on throughout your academic and future careers.
• • Collaborate and make connections with Tell Them and Advocates for Youth staff who care about these issues as much as you do.
• • Share your experience and perspective.
• • Hard work, excitement, and fun… all while making a difference!
• • The opportunity to travel, and attend trainings across the state and country
•   

Who can Apply?

Anyone meeting the following qualifications is encouraged to apply for S.W.A.R.M.

1. 1. Be currently enrolled in a South Carolina college and between the ages of 18-24.
2. 2. Be able to commit to the S.W.A.R.M. Council for a minimum of one school year.
3. 3. Participate in bi-monthly conference calls
4. 4. Complete presentations, events, and write personalized blogs
5. 5. Participate in activities to continue building a strong base of advocates in the community and on campus.
6.   

Interested?

Please contact us with any questions. Then fill out the application and email, fax, or mail the application back to Tell Them by May 10, 2012. We will conduct interviews for selected candidates. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Email: tallen@newmorningfoundation.org
Phone: (803) 929-0088       
Fax: (803) 929-0089

By Sarah DuRussel-Weston, a member of the SWARM Youth Council for Policy Change and graduate student at the University of South Carolina

One of the highlights of the S.W.A.R.M meet-ups this year has been a film screening of the documentary “Let’s Talk About Sex”, followed by a discussion led by Tell Them staff. The film explores how we view sex in the context of our families and the media. The documentary takes you into the homes of families across the U.S and Northern Europe. 

The difference in the parents’ styles of talking to their kids about sex is almost as large as the Atlantic Ocean which separates the two continents.  Here there’s this negative stigma about sex.  There, it’s respected but embraced.  You know what the outcome is?  There is a shockingly high rate of parents in the states who have no idea just how sexual their kids are. They say: “Don’t do it,” and the youth reply with “Ok.”  The problem is that kids in households of all backgrounds in the States are crossing their fingers and doing it behind their parents’ backs.  In Europe the families have open conversations. The parents treat their children as young adults. They have honest conversations. They talk about morality, and they talk about respecting yourself.  I think the parents generally must simply respect their children more, because they teach them how to protect themselves with contraceptives more. A large point to recognize is that the US has much higher rates of teen pregnancy and STI transmissions than they do in Europe. I think that means that those Europeans are onto something…. Respect and Knowledge!!!

Anyways, we talked about the movie with the college students and faculty that came to watch the movie. During the conversation afterwards you could tell some people were uncomfortable with being as “liberal” as those Europeans, but they also seemed to get the point.  You could see the wheels spinning in their heads.  They were challenging their perspective on frank conversations- “What if my parents would have had such open conversations with me?”

SWARM being a program with the objective to create a shift in cultural perspectives on Sex Education towards accurate and comprehensive information, I think we hit our goal.  They were thinking about what they were taught.  They were challenging themselves to question if other more truthful and honest sex education methods were more successful than the “Just don’t do it” method so many of them received growing up.

“Let’s Talk About Sex” is available for sale online.  You can find it on Amazon, but if you’re interested, I know where you can probably get the hook-up.  Contact Tell Them and tell them you want to see it, or you want to show it to a group.  I bet they’ll be glad to assist you.