After members of the Massachusetts Legislature complained about Mariatalks.com, a sexual education website created for teens, state officials said they are considering making changes to the state-funded site, according to a Tuesday article in The Boston Globe.
State legislators sent a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick asking him to remove state funding for the website. The nonprofit organization AIDS Action Committee funds Maria Talks with a $100,000 grant from the Department of Public Health.
The site aims to offer accurate sexual health information to the public in a way that appeals and makes sense to teenagers.
On the website, “Maria” and her cast of fictional friends discuss topics related to sexual health, including types of sex, birth control, emergency contraception, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and sexual violence.
The website’s critics have denounced its informal language and explicit descriptions of sexual actions.
“The language that is used on this site is disgusting,” Rep. Elizabeth Poirier, R-North Attleborough, told The Globe. “There are words that I would find difficult to speak.”
State representatives also said the phrasing used to describe abortion downplays abortion’s risks.
On the website, Maria quotes her aunt, an obstetrician, as saying: “Abortions are safe and effective, though some people may experience temporary discomfort.” In addition, Maria says she promises getting an
abortion is easier than readers may expect.
“The website describes abortion in an extremely insensitive manner, downplays the medical and psychological damages and advises teenage girls on how to circumvent parental notification requirements,” Rep. Marc Lombardo, R-Billerica, told The Globe.
The website states women under age 18 can get a legal abortion as long as either one parent or legal guardian or a judge authorizes the abortion.
Maria says on the site: “Again, I know it sounds crazy, but just keep reading . . . this really can be done and young women do this all the time here in Massachusetts.” She adds that women considering abortions can call the Planned Parenthood Counseling and Referral Hotline.
Anti-abortion organization Massachusetts Citizens for Life has also asked Patrick to close the website.
Some lawmakers have defended the site.
Rep. Bryon Rushing, D-Boston, said the website “speaks the language that teenagers speak.”
Michael Falcone, the political director for NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, said critics need to take a closer look at the website’s material.
“They are here strictly to politicize family planning and use it as a bargaining chip in the public debate,” Falcone said. “Maria Talks is a comprehensive website that has information for many young adults.”
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