The Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health ( ICAH ) held its fifth annual "Let's Talk about Sex" fundraising event June 15 at the Chicago Cultural Center.
This year, in addition to awarding student advocates with special achievement awards, ICAH honored notable sex columnist Dan Savage for his activist work in promoting safe and thorough sexual education.
"We need to accept the fact that teenagers have sexual urges and desires and need to be educated properly on safe sex," said Savage. "You know, 'Just Say No' didn't work for drugs and it doesn't work for sex. People need information."
Savage is an internationally syndicated columnist and author of four books, including Savage Love: Straight Answers from America's Most Popular Sex Columnist. Savage is also a frequent contributor to National Public Radio's This American Life and has been featured in a number o documentaries on sexual behavior, including Bi the Way.
Another Chicagoan sex columnist, Debby Herbenick from Time Out Magazine, served as emcee, and the event featured a short performance by the About Face Theater Group on safe sex.
ICAH was founded in 1977 and is a nonprofit advocacy group for young adults' health and well-being. Currently, ICAH is working on introducing legislation to the Illinois General Assembly on more specific outlines for sexual education in Illinois schools.
For more information on ICAH, visit www.icah.org .
