The Quickie: Sex Education is Under Attack
For Immediate Release: May 30, 2024
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Welcome to “The Quickie” — Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s daily tipsheet on the top health care & reproductive rights stories of the day. You can read “The Quickie'' online here.
In today’s Quickie: Sex education is under attack and Tennessee Gov. signs bills to block adults from helping minors get health care.
SEX EDUCATION IS UNDER ATTACK: As sex education comes under attack nationwide, Sara C. Flowers, DrPH, vice president of education and training at PPFA, joined PBS NewsHour earlier this week to highlight the impact of these attacks. “It's really important to understand that sex education is under attack. And it is under attack by the same groups that are trying to ban books, stop trans youth from being able to play sports or use the bathroom that they need, and the same groups that are trying to ban teaching accurate history, said Dr. Flowers. “The bans are all connected, which tells us that these groups are actually working to exert power and control our kids. They are not trying to keep kids safe and healthy.”
Nationally-representative data shows parents overwhelmingly want their children to get sex education that is age-appropriate, fact-based, and covers a wide variety of topics in school. Yet a small but vocal minority continues to push for bans and censorship that prevent young people from getting the sex education they need and deserve.
Dr. Flowers on PSB NewsHour
PBS NewsHour
Dr. Flowers reminded parents that they are not powerless, and if they want to ensure their kids are getting adequate sex education, they can start by reaching out to their children’s schools and asking about the current curriculum. If it’s not sufficient, they can demand better.
Parents can also reach out to their local Planned Parenthood who may be able to connect them with sex education programs in their communities or provide resources for starting conversations at home.
Watch the segment on PBS NewsHour.
TENNESSEE GOVERNOR SIGNS BILLS TO BLOCK ADULTS FROM HELPING MINORS GET ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE: On Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed two bills designed to block adults from helping minors get abortion and gender-affirming care. Ashley Coffield, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi (PPTNM) condemned the laws earlier this year, saying, “Most minors involve a parent in their decision to get an abortion. But for young people living in abusive households, disclosing sexual activity or pregnancy can trigger physical or emotional abuse, including direct physical or sexual violence, or being thrown out of the home.”
Coffield told reporters that PPTMN is currently in “consultation with our lawyers about how to comply with the law if we need to comply with it or whether we can challenge the law.”