robot-heart-politics:

“The Ohio program is Abstinence ‘Till Marriage, which started receiving annual CBAE grants of $600,000 in 2006 (set to run until 2011). On their “Miss the Mess” website, you can enter the “Party Room”, where you learn the story of Rochelle, Jason, Monica and Tanner. Each person tells their perspective about what happens during and after a party one night. Rochelle tells how she drove her drunken friend Jason home after the party, and then is raped by him. Jason denies that the rape happened, saying their sex was consensual. Monica and Tanner observe that Jason was being a drunken idiot the entire night, with Monica (Jason’s ex) adding her opinion that Rochelle has a reputation for “putting out” and being a “slut”. The site then asks the question: “Based on all accounts, whose story sounds the least credible?” Guess who is the “correct” answer? Rochelle. Why, you ask? Because she “made several questionable decisions”, “she had a motive to lie” and, lest we forget, “she’s been pinned reputation (sic) for being ‘loose’” It’s hard not to overemphasize the sickness in this “correct” answer. Rochelle is not be believed. After all, she drove in a car with a boy. And she’s actually had sex before, or at least people say that she has, which is apparently the same thing and equally worthy of disbelief after you’ve been raped. The site then asks if we know that a rape occurred. The “correct” answer says that we don’t know, emphasizing again that Rochelle has a “motive to lie”, and that: “Unfortunately, we are left judging (Rochelle’s) honesty by her character and her actions”… “Monica implied Rochelle had a promiscuous reputation and the whole school seemed to know it.” Ah, yes. Her “character”. They once again remind us that “sluts” aren’t to be trusted. Why should we listen or care about them, right? The site then goes a step further, adding a degree of sympathy for the actions of the rapist:“Also, alcohol makes people less inhibitive. Jason was extremely vulnerable to his circumstances”. Vulnerable? Less inhibitive? What exactly are they saying here, that rape is a “less inhibitive” behavior? That alcohol made poor Jason “vulnerable” to being a sick rapist asshole?”

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When Rape Culture meets abstinence-only sex ed | Amplify

This program is being funded by our tax dollars. Just another of those wonderful “abstinence only” programs we are funneling our money into which have done absolutely nothing to reduce teen pregnancy rates or STDs. Keep it coming, religious right.

Republicans throw a tantrum about funding for condoms in the stimulous package. I say Dems should throw a tantrum over this unbelievable BS.