Massachusetts lawmakers are in an uproar about a state-funded sex education website called "Maria Talks." What has their undies in a twist? They are upset about some of the language that is used on the site, and they also claim that the site steers teens toward secret abortions.
MariaTalks.com is designed for teenagers and uses clear, conversational language to educate teens on all things sex, from STIs to foreplay to pregnancy options and more. The material is presented by "Maria" -- a fictional 18-year-old who has her (also fictional) lovely OBGYN aunt to rely on for sex education and information. The words used on the site (which Rep. Betty Poirier describes as "disgusting") include "going down on her" "hard-on" and "wet". The abortion section goes through the Massachussetts laws and requirements involving abortions for under-age girls.
Part of what has lawmakers upset is that the website is funded by a $100,000 grant from the state Department of Public Health to the AIDS Action Committee.
Said Rep. Colleen Garry (D): “This is a blatant agenda by the liberal part of our society to introduce children to sex and give them the opportunity to have an abortion without their parents’ involvement. It’s a slant in one way. There’s not much said about adoption on it.”
Massacuhesetts Citizens for Life also claim that the site doesn't discuss the realities and risks involved in abortion, and that it's an abuse of taxpayers money.
The Department of Public Health defended the site: “The goal . . . is to ensure that medically accurate health information continues to be available and accessible to individuals across the Commonwealth, and we believe that this web site hosted by the AIDS Action Committee is an important tool to help us do just that.”
There are also some lawmakers defending the site, such as Rep. Byron Rushing (D), who says the site "speaks the language that teenagers speak." And Michael Falcone, political director for NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, said critics were not looking at the material in its entirety. "They are here strictly to politicize family planning and use it as a bargaining chip in the public debate. Mariatalks is a comprehensive website that has information for many young adults."
Want to see what all of the controversy is about? Visit Maria Talks and see for yourself.
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