Morning Round-Up

Here a summary of what's been coming into my inbox this morning:

Boston Globe: Teens' Use of Condoms Increases; Survey Finds Use Grew Since Ruling

"He[Gov. Romney]'s playing politics with kids' lives," said Sarah Wunsch, a staff attorney with the ACLU of Massachusetts. "If kids are going to be sexually active, they should be using condoms."

The Center for American Progress: A Time to Speak: Why Progressive Religious Leaders Must Find Their Voice on Sexual Justice

The reluctance to discuss sexuality issues means that even "safe" topics, such as sexuality education, child sexual abuse prevention, and HIV/AIDS prevention, often go unaddressed by progressive religious leaders.

The organized religious right has no such reluctance to address sexuality. Its leaders are unequivocally opposed to abortion, emergency contraception, marriage equality and other rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered (GLBT) people, and comprehensive sexuality education. Its leaders speak out on these issues, galvanize their base with these issues, and get the attention of national leaders with these issues.

NYT: Frail and Ill, but Still Focused on Global Health

His persistent advocacy of condoms and other birth control, needle exchange and sex education has put him at odds with some religious groups and conservatives, and he has been willing to criticize and clash with governments.

The Guttmacher Institute: Greater Expectations: Adolescents' Positive Motivations for Sex

The authors suggest that by gaining a better understanding of teens' perceptions of the interpersonal and social benefits of sex, rather than focusing only on their perceptions of risks, providers and prevention programs will be better able to help teens delay first sex and avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).