It's time for "the talk!"
May is Sex Ed for All Month, and if you went to a public school in Texas, chances are you probably didn’t learn much–at least not much that was true–in your required Health class.
We’re not new to giving Texans the lowdown on sex ed in our public schools. For years, we’ve used our #TeachTheTruth: Accurate Sex Ed campaign to advocate for comprehensive sexual health education that’s medically accurate, free of shame and judgment, and addresses the needs of all young people, regardless of their race, gender identity, or the zip code they live in.
Here's how "the talk" is going in Texas public schools right now: -
In 2021, a bill that requires school districts to teach students in middle and high school about family violence, child abuse, dating violence, and sex trafficking went into effect. The original version was vetoed by Gov. Abbott, who claimed he was preserving “parental rights.” Now, parents have to sign a form so their kids can receive this vital education– worrying advocates that students who need it the most, particularly those experiencing abuse at home, won’t be given these resources.
- Texas has a near-total abortion ban– due to SB8. Access to contraceptives and sex education can never replace access to safe, legal abortion, but giving teens the knowledge they need to prevent pregnancy is extremely critical right now. And the immediacy of this education is compounded by the impending Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade.
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