Your Rights to Free Speech in Public Schools
As bold as the spirit of New York, we are the NYCLU.
Donate
© 2025 New York
Civil Liberties Union
Civil Liberties Union
Youth Rights to Sexual Health Care Services in New York
As a minor, you may be afraid to talk to your parent or guardian about certain things, especially when it comes to making serious decisions that impact your health and overall well-being. Usually adults are the ones who make medical decisions for you. Though young people feel comfortable engaging in these discussions with their parents most of the time, that is not the case for some youth.
Did you know that in the state of New York, young people can make some of these decisions on their own? In some cases the law allows you to receive medical services, including services related to your sexual health, without your parents being involved in the process. Please visit our guide, What Teens Need to Know, for more information.
This KYR is not a replacement for legal advice.
YOU DON’T NEED PERMISSION FROM YOUR PARENTS, PARTNER, FRIENDS, OR ANYONE ELSE TO GET THESE SERVICES:
- Birth Control (like condoms and the Pill)
- Emergency Contraception (the “Morning-After Pill”)
- Pregnancy Tests and Prenatal Care
- STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) tests and care
- HIV tests and treatment
- PrEP and PEP
- HPV vaccine
- Abortion services
- Sexual assault care
These services are confidential. No one at the clinic or doctor’s office can tell anyone when or why you came in unless you say so.
WHERE CAN I GO FOR FREE OR LOW-COST CARE?
The Door
212.941.9090 x3222 www.door.org
Health care, counseling, and legal services in NYC for free. Ages 12-21.
Planned Parenthood
1.800.230.PLAN plannedparenthood.org/health-center/NY
Health services and help signing up for health insurance anywhere in New York State. All ages.
Health Outreach to Teens at Callen-Lorde
212.271.7200 www.callen-lorde.org
Health care and counseling in NYC in a LGBTQ-friendly environment. Ages 13-24.
STI Clinics List
WHO CAN I CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT MY RIGHTS?
New York Civil Liberties Union
We offer workshops for schools and community groups about teens’ rights to access confidential sexual health services.
Call 212.607.3300
Email us schools@nyclu.org
Visit www.nyclu.org
Mail us a letter at 125 Broad Street, 19th Floor New York, NY 10004
To find a list of NYCLU chapter offices in your region, visit www.nyclu.org/chapters.