Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
The Kids Aren't All Right
()
Doomed to repeat - if not exceed - the failures of their previous generations, the youth of today are spreading sexually transmitted diseases at an alarming rate, the LA Times reported yesterday.
In fact the next time a college girl giggles when, in the heat of the moment, you pull her hair and call her a dirty dirty girl - the joke might be on you, holmes.
About 1 million Californians between the ages of 15 and 24 had an STD in 2005, LA county researchers said, summarizing what they have learned from a new study. Los Angeles county had the largest number of new infections with 361,876. San Diego County had 85,523, San Bernardino had 75,606 and Orange County had 53,566, the Times said. The cost of treating that many new infections is about $1 billion.
Support for LAist comes from
"We were expecting high numbers . . . even to us," said epidemiologist Petra Jerman of the Public Health Institute in Oakland, who led the new study reported in the California Journal of Health Promotion. "It is clear we are living in the dark about how common STDs are and how many kids acquire them in a given year." The report also highlights the large number of new cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea -- which are associated with HIV and are considered to be among the most serious STDs -- among people age 15 to 24, said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
"It's really disturbing that we have not been able to make more progress with that," he said. "We don't have young people using protection when they are having sex." - LA Times
By "we" I mean me, this is my advice for young people who participate in sex.
Use a condom every time you have sex. Even if you love the person. Even if they're hot or cute or claim to be a virgin.
If someone complains that the sex is no good with the condom, either you two are doing it wrong or you two aren't meant for each other.
Also realize that people have been known to lie about things, particularly when it comes to sexual practices and partners. And believe it or not but some people might be embarrassed by their sexual history and condition - likewise some might be ignorant to it. Get tested frequently and require your partners to do the same.
Yes you can trust your sweetie, but unless you've exchanged vows, learn how to rock the condom. Every time. Practice makes perfect and this should be something that's fun to practice.
Some may huff and puff but if you hold your ground they will respect you for being clean and safe and smart and want to bone you that much more. If not they're dumbshits and you should really reconsider why you want them on top of you.
Support for LAist comes from
photo by subspace via flickr
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist