Andrew Jenkins is a feminist evangelist and queer social justice activist hailing from the west coast. He started his activism as a student organizer at CSU Long Beach, where he mobilized young people to fight for sexual and reproductive justice. In 2011, Andrew organized the first convening of LGBT military personnel – post repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell – as the Conference Director for OutServe. He also served as the Fundraising Committee Chair on the Young People For Alumni Board of Directors, engaging and training the next generation of progressive leaders. Andrew now brings his unwavering passion for youth leadership development and feminist praxis to the talented team at Choice USA, where he works to engage, train and mobilize the upcoming generation of pro-choice leaders.
We need men to move beyond a place of complacency and paternalism, and arrive at an understanding of their own self-interest in fighting for sexual and reproductive justice.
It’s time to put the old weapons away and start investing in the upcoming generation of pro-choice, reproductive justice leaders.
As a friend and colleague from Planned Parenthood so eloquently put it, Kansas is a “petri dish”—a place where the most extreme anti-abortion laws are conceived and tested. But students are organized and we are fighting back.
After months of political ads, voter registration drives, presidential debates, and the circus that is an election cycle, we’re finally approaching the big day. And although this is a new year and a new election, some things never seem to change. Erroneous claims of voter apathy. Widespread fear that young people won’t show up to the polls. The ‘knight in shining armor’ complex masqueraded as a legitimate way to engage Millennials. But don’t sweat it.
The progressive community is deathly afraid of talking about sex and young people. We have to stop running away from sex like it’s our movement’s dirty little secret, because despite the supposed mainstream appeal and political expedience that comes with a watered down sexless narrative about birth control, it also comes with a swift price.
Beginning this month, for the first time in the history of this country, access to no-copay birth control will be a reality for millions of young people across the country. To underscore this moment – or fail to maximize its transformative potential – would be a grave mistake.
Young People and Comprehensive Sex Education: Moving Beyond Scare Tactics and Fear Mongering in 2012
Growing up in the United States is like playing a foucauldian game of discipline and punish. Disciplined by a morally bankrupt narrative about sex and sexuality and then punished for daring to question it.
With the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade a little over a month away, and the 2012 election right around the corner, I can’t help but think about the popularly speculated relationship between abortion rights and young people.
When my best friend faced an unintended and unwanted pregnancy, I made the choice to stand with her, and I have been an advocate for reproductive justice ever since.
