HHS Sex-Information Web Site Draws Fire.

Abstract

This article reports that a new federal web site aimed at helping parents educate their teenagers about sexual issues is under fire from advocacy groups that say it ignores sexually active teenagers, victims of sexual abuse, and gay and lesbian youths. The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, a New York City-based group that disseminates materials on sex education, has written to Michael O. Leavitt, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, saying that the web site, www.4parents.gov, contains biased and inaccurate information. The letter says that while the web site promotes sexual abstinence, it fails to provide suggestions for those whose teenagers remain sexually active.