CDC Examines Provocative Safe Sex Campaigns
As published in the Advocate
Three republican member of the House Committee on Government Reform asked the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate San Francisco-based STOP AIDS Project saying the controversial group violated federal laws and misused federal funds.
The politicians and some AIDS activists claim STOP AIDS’s HIV prevention campaigns are so provocative and explicit that the safe sex messages actually encourages sexual activity.
In a written statement, the CDC claimed it’s responding to the Congressional inquiry and plans to investigate whether “the federally funded activities are scientifically sound and consistent with CDC’s guidelines.”
STOP AIDS points to numerous surveys and CDC studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of their material.
But if the CDC differs or finds the group misused federal funds, the effect on STOP AIDS could be sizeable. Currently, STOP AIDS pulls in $225,000 in federal funds – or 12 percent of its $1.8 million yearly budget.
This isn’t the first time federal investigators have scrutinized STOPS AIDS. Last year, the Health and Human Service Department reviewed campaign materials and found them provocative, but effective. Organizers say the investigations are politically motivated and show the Bush administrations conservative HIV policy.
“Our staff is frustrated by [the investigation],” says Shana Krochmal a spokeswoman for the STOP AIDS Project. “We spend a lot of time responding to politically motivated attacks instead of preventing HIV. Our work is provocative and progressive, but its what works in our community.”
