West Virginia high school senior Katelyn Campbell alleges that Principal George Aulenbacher of George Washington High School threatened to call Wellesley College, where she has been accepted, to report that she has “bad character.” This occurred after Campbell spoke out against and refused to attend an assembly hosted by conservative speaker Pam Stenzel. Stenzel has a track record of traveling the country advocating abstinence-only by telling students that every instance of sexual contact will lead to a sexually transmitted disease and that mothers will probably hate you for taking birth control.
Authors Ann Werner and Kimberley A. Johnson, a mother-daughter writing duo, saw the story and were inspired to offer their book “The Virgin Diaries" for free for three days on Amazon. The giveaway dates are May 1 through May 3. The offer applies to the Kindle edition and the authors explain that anyone can download a copy to their iPhone, tablet or desktop. Just click this link to download a free Kindle app.
Johnson and Werner created "The Virgin Diaries" for virgins with questions. “We wanted to provide a source for people who are curious about sex but are too embarrassed to ask. We asked each contributor to answer over thirty questions regarding their first time, so that we would have a well-rounded and detailed understanding of what it feels like to have first-time sex." Johnson said. She adds, “I hope that this giveaway reaches the teen audience. This is why we made the book. I remember being a teen and although I wasn’t interested in having sex, I was curious and I had a lot of questions. This book answers them all.”
Werner cited Centers for Disease Control statistics that show while teen pregnancies have decreased in recent years, the United States still ranks number one in the industrialized world for teen pregnancies and the rates are higher in states that mandate abstinence-only education. She noted that Tennessee ranks 11th out of 51 states in teen pregnancies, with 1 being the worst and 51 being the best. Last year the state passed a bill defining kissing and hand-holding as gateway activities that may lead teens to sexual activities. The law specifically bans teachers from discussing or demonstrating innocuous activities like hand-holding. Breaking the rules could result in a lawsuit against the teachers.
“I believe it is the duty of an educator and a parent to provide accurate information,” Werner said. “I find it shocking that Ms. Stenzel is touring schools and telling out and out lies and even more shocking that state legislators would tie the hands of those entrusted with teaching our children. I believe the teachers and the children deserve better than that.”
"The Virgin Diaries" is an anthology of 72 stories collected from men and women ranging in age from 20-77. The accounts relate the experience of first time sex with a focus on the emotional impact. Both gay and straight accounts are included in the compilation.
The authors state that "The Virgin Diaries" has no agenda other than informing readers and providing a tool for parents to open a dialogue with their pre-teen and teen children about the subject of sex and when it is appropriate.
Link to Amazon page: The Virgin Diaries