ABOUT NTARUPT

Intimacy and sex are integral parts of the human experience. As such, Ntarupt envisions a more equitable Dallas for its adolescents and teens, relevant to sexual education and reproductive health. All, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, housing status, or zip code are entitled to receive comprehensive, inclusive, medically accurate sexuality education. Moreover, all Dallas area adolescents and teens should have access to affordable, high-quality sexual and reproductive health services. With access to education and reproductive health services, all can be equipped to make informed choices in matters of health and sexual conduct and can advocate and make decisions for themselves about if, when, and under what circumstances to become a parent.

Historic and ongoing segregation and discrimination in Dallas have a present-day impact on socioeconomic indicators, such as economic health, physical health, and educational opportunity and status for Black, Latino, and other segregated minority communities in the city. Those identifying as LGBTQ+ have also been negatively impacted by discrimination and marginalization. While the City of Dallas boasts robust business, arts, and retail communities, sadly, it also has the third highest rate of child poverty in the nation. One in three children in Dallas grows up in poverty, and this poverty is most prevalent in areas that are racially and ethnically segregated Black and Latino. Additionally, Dallas County has the highest teen birth rate of the top 20 largest counties in the United States. These racially and ethnically segregated minority communities within the City of Dallas are underserved, so they suffer significant inequities in educational resources, economic opportunity, and access to affordable health care when compared to segregated white majority or to desegregated residential communities. Ntarupt believes there is a correlation between poverty, educational opportunity, economic opportunity, access to affordable and high-quality health care, and high teen birth rates.

Ntarupt believes that providing adolescents and teens in Dallas with complete sexual education and improving their access to the high-quality medical care they need to make informed decisions will result in lowering the incidence of unintended pregnancy among their demographic within the city. Ntarupt views education and access to healthcare as critical components of breaking the cycle of poverty; however, Ntarupt also recognizes that there are many other racial and ethnic inequities that Dallas needs to address to create a more just, inclusive, and equitable city. Ntarupt maintains an awareness of the power of prevention, and it maintains that being solutions-oriented supports the increase in opportunity for all Dallas adolescents and teens.