Virginia High School Reconsiders Partnership with Sex Ed Providers Following Video Controversy
Western Albemarle High School may be severing ties with the Sexual Assault Resource Agency, a local sexual assault prevention group, after complaints arose in regard to a video shown to two health classes. The four-minute video was created by Laci Green, a sex ed YouTuber, and was about male sexual pleasure.
Kentucky Governor Signs Bill into Law Mandating Abstinence-Based Sex Ed
The governor of Kentucky signed a bill into law mandating sex ed classes that teach that abstinence from sexual activity is a “desirable goal for all school-age children.” All public schools will be required to offer curriculum for human sexuality that instructs students that abstinence from sexual activity is the “only certain way to avoid out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems.” Another amendment that would have allowed parents to opt out of these classes was rejected.
Sex Ed Sit-Out Happens Across the Country
Opponents of comprehensive sexuality education staged a Sex Ed Sit-Out on Monday, April 23 that dominated headlines last week. The North Carolina Values Coalition organized the #SexEdSitOut to fight what they call “radical, graphic, tax-payer funded, gender-bending sex education.” Along with the sit-out, the organization circulated a petition that, as of several days ago, had almost 41,000 signatures. Protests occurred across the U.S., and also in England, Canada, and Australia.
Advocates for Youth Host a Facebook Live Event
Advocates for comprehensive sexuality education, meanwhile, hosted a Facebook Live sex ed event in response to the sit-out. Using the hashtag #SexEdLive, the Facebook page for Advocates for Youth played host to a collection of live sex ed videos.
Funding Rules Change for Family Planning Programs
Last week, the Trump administration announced new rules around funding for programs intended to prevent teenage pregnancy. These new rules also move away from a requirement implemented during the Obama administration that required organizations receiving federal money to choose from a list of approaches that have been scientifically shown to be effective at changing sexual behavior.
