Comprehensive Sexuality Education, PART 2: CSE is NOT Sex Ed!, Washington State, Initiative 1109

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by a Washington state counterpart in Spokane area, LeAnna Benn, National Director of Teen Aid. Her primary focus for over 39 years has been development of 15 different life skills curriculums. These successful curriculums have been used by schools internationally.

It was exciting to hear about  LeAnna’s newest project: Initiative 1109. We are so proud of Washington citizens for going to the next level with political push back! 

Initiative 1109 offers the OPT-IN requirement for all sexuality curriculums.

Washington Parents’ Rights In Education worked hard to collect signatures to place Referendum 90 on the November ballot. They are now campaigning for its passage. Don’t forget! Check to REJECT!

“Why is Initiative 1109 needed?”

When Referendum 90 passes, it will roll back the SB5395 which mandated explicit comprehensive Sex Education in all districts. Parents and citizens are furious about the curriculum content  promoted in that bill. 

Right now, and even before SB5395, that content is controlled by the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), not at the local district board level, and definitely not by parents.  The curriculum choices, OSPI offers to schools all have the same tone, information, and philosophical foundation. They are all inspired by Planned Parenthood.

Initiative 1109 gives control back to the local school boards. Now, even if Referendum 90 passes, OSPI can easily change the standards and choices of curriculum. How can that be? The Healthy Youth Act passed in 2007, forfeited local control by school boards, to OSPI. Local school boards must have OSPI approval in accordance with their philosophy. Initiative 1109 also repeals the Health Youth Act!

But parents need final the say, right?

Parents, concerned about the emotional and well-being of their children have been left out of this decision making process. Many have strong values which are not respected by these Standards. Parents want real equity in the process. Many are blindsided when they learn their children have been taught ideologies and information they deem inappropriate. This is wrong and biased against these families.

Opt-Out puts parents on the defense. Often, even with a request on file, students are exposed to assemblies, outside speakers, and curriculum from which their parents have requested an exemption.

The default has to be OPT-OUT, giving parents choice and peace of mind knowing their children will not be exposed to medically inaccurate, unhealthy and age inappropriate teaching without their knowledge or consent. 

OPT-IN protects the school and board members from unnecessary law suits if a student is mistakenly exposed to such curriculum. It is a Win/Win for both schools and parents.

Now, Washington parents may OPT-OUT. With Initiative 1109, will require OPT-IN! Parents sign their child into the program.

The bottom line is this…vote for Referendum 90 in November!

Help collect signatures to get Initiative 1109 on the November 2021 Ballot. 

We must turn in a minimum of 320,000 valid signatures, which will require at least 350,000. 

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