The 2011 installment of the Take Action Tour kicks off tonight in Boston, MA. This year the trek features veteran acts Bayside, Silverstein, The Swellers, and Polar Bear Club, plus hot newcomers Texas In July. Proceeds of the tour will benefit Sex, Etc. for teen sexuality education.

As the teen-focused program of Answer, the award-winning national organization based at NJ's Rutgers University, Sex, Etc.'s mission is to improve teen sexual health information and resources across the country.

With an active online community and national magazine, Sex, Etc. serves as a resource and destination for teens seeking advice and healthy communication on questions about sex, relationships, pregnancy, STDs, contraception, sexual orientation, and more. Noisecreep spoke with Elizabeth Schroeder, Executive Director of Answer, and asked her about her company's mission and how they got involved with the Take Action Tour.

Why is it important to have punk bands playing for your cause?

It's all about reaching teens where they are, which is why our magazine, Sex, Etc. and its sister website, Sexetc.org, are written by teens, for teens. Bands like the ones who will be on the Take Action Tour connect with young people in a unique way. Musicians have a really great platform for not only sharing their creativity, but also reminding everyone that they have a voice, and that they can make change in the world.

So if these bands are talking about Sex, Etc. to their audiences, they'll hopefully want to check us out, get answers to their questions about sexuality, and become inspired to make a difference. Similarly, as we talk about the Take Action Tour to our 40,000+ Facebook fans we hope that teens who didn't previously know about these great bands will want to check them out!

Even though it's 2011 -- do you think there is still a stigma with teens being open about sex?

Absolutely -- and in my opinion, it's absolutely ridiculous. The US is one of the most sexualized cultures, with an outrageously sex-saturated media that doesn't give a whole lot of accurate or positive messages about sexuality. Yet when we want to provide teens with accurate, honest, age-appropriate information, it suddenly becomes controversial. There's still this big, fat misconception that if we talk with teens about sex they're going to be more likely to want to go out and do it – when research actually shows the opposite to be true. And if teens do get the information they want, need – and, in our opinion, have a right to receive-they end up making healthier decisions and having positive relationships, both now and into the future.

How familiar were you with Louis Posen and Hopeless Records before you guys hooked up for this tour?

I wasn't familiar with them at all – and actually have started referring to them and their wonderful artists as our fairy godparents (laughter). We feel so lucky that they found us, and are beyond honored to have been chosen as the beneficiary of the Take Action Tour. Plus, as someone who loves music, I've now been introduced to some new bands which is great fun! I hope the folks there realize what an impact they're making by producing this tour.

In addition to providing a great publicity opportunity for the sponsored non-profit organization and making a financial donation, they and their bands are being real role models for their audiences. It's like the tour is saying to young people, "You need to be aware that there's a lot going on in the world. Check it out, find what you're passionate about, and be an active participant in it." We couldn't agree more.

2011 TAKE ACTION TOUR DATES:

4/22 Boston, MA- Paradise Rock Club

4/23 Philadelphia, PA- The Electric Factory

4/25 Baltimore, MD- Rams Head Live

4/26 Raleigh, NC- Lincoln Theatre

4/28 Atlanta,GA- Center Stage

4/29 Orlando, FL- Club at Firestone

4/30 Ft. Lauderdale- Revolution

5/1 St. Petersburg, FL- State Theatre

5/2 Pensacola, FL- Phinea's Phogg's @ Seville Quarter

5/4 Houston, TX- Fitzgerald's

5/5 San Antonio, TX- White Rabbit

5/6 Dallas, TX- Trees

5/7 Tulsa, OK- Cain's Ballroom

5/9 Mesa, AZ- Nile Theatre

5/10 Anaheim, CA- House of Blues

5/11 San Diego, CA- Soma

5/12 West Hollywood, CA- House of Blues

5/14 Sacramento, CA- Ace of Spades

5/15 Portland, OR- Hawthorne Theatre

5/16 Seattle, WA- El Corazon

5/18 Salt Lake City, UT- The Complex

5/19 Denver, CO- The Summit Music Hall

5/20 Omaha, NE- Slowdown

5/21 Des Moines, IA- People's Court

5/22 Chicago, IL- Metro

5/24 Covington, KY- Madison Theatre

5/25 Pontiac, MI- The Crofoot Ballroom

5/26 Pittsbug, PA- Altar Bar

5/27 Buffalo, NY- Infinity Hall

5/28 New York, NY-Best Buy Theatre

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