Last night, G-CAPP hosted it's annual legislative reception and invited four GYUPP youth advocates to speak on why adolescent health issues are important to them.  Each of the youth wrote powerful sentiments and they were woven into the speech the four of them gave together.  Guests of the Legislative Reception shared with the youth advocates that their presentation was the most impactful of the evening.  Read below for their words:

Nichelle:  We’d like to talk about adolescent health.  Quite often, this is a touchy subject for adults and parents, and young people to talk about, however sexual health education is just as important as any other type of education.

Elizabeth: Adolescent health is an important part of the well-being of the typical teenager.  In our opinion, funding to prevent teen pregnancy is a great step towards improving the health and well being of our generation.  

Karina:  Many teens are having sex.  46% of adolescents aged reported having sex in 2009, but only 61% of them reported using protection.  While some teens are taking action to make sure they are protected from pregnancy and STDs, many others are not.  In the state of Georgia, the birth rate for girls ages 15-19 is 51.7 and that number is even higher among young women of color.  The birth rate among African American girls is 63.1 and Latina girls is 109.1.   

All: This is the time to make our voices heard!

Nichelle: Unfortunately, Georgia youth are at a disadvantage because Georgia public school systems do not require that students receive medically accurate and science based programs that have been shown to be effective at reducing birth and STI rates. 

Kaila: When I first became an advocate, I decided to investigate what was actually taught at my high school. I went to the health teacher and simply asked him what all was taught. After the conversation started flowing, I decided to ask him if he talked about the different types of birth control methods. His response… put me in a state of shock. He said, “There are different types of birth control methods?”

Elizabeth:  We got involved as youth advocates because we never want any teenager to feel afraid or alone unnecessarily.  I want to make sure that when I choose to have a child, I feel prepared and have the resources I need to care for that child and my family.  I want to empower other young women to feel the same.

All: This is the time to take action!

Kaila:  Why is advocating for comprehensive sex education in our schools important to us?  Let me ask you a few other questions - Why are there schools in American states with an estimated 90 teen pregnancies over the course of a year? Why are students obviously transmitting STDs throughout their communities? Why is the media popularizing the teen mothers of our nation?

Karina:  We are young people who refuse to neglect or disguise the inequities of our communities.  The American Constitution reads that America is a place “By the People, Of the People and For the People”.   Although we are proud that Americans readily support neighboring nations during times of disaster or crisis, we also want to be proud of Georgia for choosing to addresses issues of inequity that affect adolescents and their health in our own communities.

All: This is the time to make our voices heard!

Nichelle: We know we have to give it our all to try to make a change in the quality of information our fellow students are being taught.

All: This is the time to support adolescent health in Georgia!!

Throughout the next week and especially on Friday, Feb 11th, Georgia's GYUPP youth advocates are asking young folks across the state to call or email their local and state legislators to make their voices heard in asking for programs that support teens and young adults!

I have been really inspired in watching the GYUPP team decide on activities that will take place throughout the next week.  The Dalton chapter will be getting Amplify postcard signatures from students at Dalton State College and emailing their youth advocates encouraging them to contact their legislators in support of adolescent health. 

Folks in Atlanta will be hosting places where young people can call and email their legislators on the spot. Paideia High School and Spelman College will both have signing spots and GYUPP information available during the day.  Atlanta GYUPP advocates will be emailing other Atlanta-area youth advocates to take action as well!

G-CAPP will be hosting their fancy Legislative Reception on Feb 10th and GYUPP members will be in attendance!  Four GYUPP advocates have been asked to speak to a group of Georgia legislators and are so excited about this opportunity! They plan to talk about share why adolescent health is important to them in this moment. 

I am looking forward to standing together as a group of Georgia advocates on Feb 11th to ask for support on these important issues that effect young people every day.  Thanks to GYUPP, for making strides towards improved adolescent health throughout the state!