Dirty South: The Georgia Sex Panic Builds

We thought it was over, but it's not. Georgia state legislator Calvin Hill continues to push his case against the "sex crowd," -- sexuality researchers trying to promote healthy sexuality and prevent STIs and HIV. Next target: sexual health workshops.

First, some background. Georgia State University professors testified last week in front of the Georgia Senate, defending their sexuality research. Thanks to all of you in the NSRC network, we gathered 3500 signatures in support of sexuality studies and research in less than a week. Dr. Mindy Strombler expressed her gratitude for the "outpouring of support" from all of you.

Though in our view no university researcher needs to be called out in front of the legislature to defend or legitimize their work, the professors did an admirable job of speaking to the contributions of their investigations to public health. Here is an excerpt from Dr. Mindy Stombler's testimony defending her work on oral sex:

"One in four teen girls has an STI nationally, and nearly every STI can be transmitted via oral sex (syphilis, PID, HPV, gonorrhea, etc.). Georgia has one of the highest STI rates in the country, with high rates among teens and young adults. In 2007, Georgia ranked #3 behind LA and AL in syphilis (and syphilis is easily transmitted via oral sex). I study the messages that kids receive about oral sex from the culture, whether it is a former President, TV shows, or explicit rap/hip hop and R & B music lyrics. I feel that no education programs will be entirely effective unless we understand the counter messages that young people receive from the culture (in opposition to what they receive from school, family and communities of faith). I am trying to determine what oral sex "means" to young people today. If we can't figure out how they are processing the conflicting messages around them we will not be able to be able to educate them effectively."

At the end of the researchers' powerful testimony, the senators expressed relief. Senator Seth Harp said, "I think hearing what these other folks have said, and realizing that there is legitimate research being done, is very helpful." We'll see what they say to those kooky folks doing fruit fly research next week, I guess.

Case closed, right?

Not according to Georgia legislator Calvin Hill. His press release and radio address (listen all the way to the end for his fumbling with that newfangled tape machine) show he's honed his sex panic mode and is moving in on his next target--health promotion workshops at GSU. And if you're wondering who he's in bed with, it's the good ol' Christian Coalition.

From Hill's press release:

"They just don't get it! Those off the wall folks that think I am gay bashing when I exposed classes on "Queering The South" at Kennesaw State and " Queer Theory" at UGA, not to mention Georgia State's experts in Male Prostitution, Queer Theory and Oral Sex. I am exposing what your taxes are paying for. I have checked other state's major Universities and they do not offer such drivel... Why are our Universities pandering to the sex crowd?"

Like most universities, GSU offers workshops on topics such as violence prevention, healthy nutrition -- and healthy sexuality. Folks can get these presentations in their dorms, their fraternities and their campus group, by filling out a request form. Mr. Hill is now concerned that students in Georgia (you know, the ones ranked third for syphilis transmissions in the country?) might specifically request that someone help them build skills in STI prevention, condom use, and partner negotiation. In other words, Mr. Hill wants to block consenting young adults from requesting information and skills to protect their own sexual health.