Fresh Focus: Sex Ed Digital Video Contest!

Jenna Bush admitted on national television, directly contradicting her father's policies, that young people need education in order to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. Sex-ed has been in the news, well, pretty much constantly these days. John Edwards recently announced his health care plan with a goal to promote comprehensive, age-appropriate sexuality education in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Congress is right now hashing out how to reduce federal funds for abstinence-only programs and increase funding for comprehensive sex-ed in the states. Meanwhile, young people around the country are speaking up for their right to medically accurate, science-based sexuality education.

With all of the information - and mis-information - flying around, RH Reality Check knows we need to be grounded by the voices of those who are most affected by this issue - young people! Fresh Focus: Sex Ed Digital Video Contest is RH Reality Check's newest project and we're thrilled to announce its launch! RH Reality Check, in collaboration with Advocates for Youth, SIECUS (Sexuality Education Council of the United States) and Isis, Inc., are giving young people ages 15-30 years old a forum for discussing the sexuality education they've had - or wished they'd had - in school, and how they envision the future of sex-ed.

Are you a young person between the ages of 15 and 30 years old? Do you have access to a digital video camera, cell phone with video capability or a digital camera with video? Are you a health or sex-ed teacher who wants to engage your students in an exciting, collaborative project? Do you work with young people as a tutor, volunteer, or leader? We invite you to submit a video, up to three minutes in length, either individually or as a group project to our Fresh Focus: Sex Ed Digital Video Contest.

Are you looking for more reasons to enter? How about these: first prize is a $3500 to scholarship to the institution of your choice or cash, second prize will get you $1000, and third prize lets you choose from a Nikon P5000, Nintendo Wii, or an iPhone! Finalists will also be invited to attend and screen their videos at the inaugural Sex::Tech Conference in San Francisco in January 2008, sponsored by the Institute for the Next Generation.

Are you ready to submit now? Visit the submissions page at DoGooderTV.com and go for it! Or,check out RH Reality Check's contest page for rules, information and submission guidelines. You can also email me at amie AT rhrealitycheck DOT org. Use your voice - and a video camera - for change!

Contest deadline is December 31st, 2008 so pick up the camera and start shooting!