Stop the Politicization of our Public Education System

AGENDA ITEM #59 UPDATE – COMPREHENSIVE SEXUAL HEALTH CURRICULUM IMPLEMENTATION:
Board Agenda page 1033
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The Problem is with the OPT OUT related to gender studies.

“Comprehensive sexual health education” means education regarding human development and sexuality, including education on pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (Education Code §
51931)"

These "subjects" can be opted out of by parents.

However, when you embed sexual instruction into "gender" studies the OPT OUT is not allowed.

In addition to health; sexual instruction under the title of gender studies is being embedded into classes like science and history, making parental control over the discussion of topics that many feel are not medically accurate or age appropriate almost impossible to invoke.

See: CUSDWatch: After 8 Hour Board Meeting OCDE Attorney Confirms that Parents Cannot OPT OUT of Controversial Sex Education Curriculum

See: CUSDWatch: OCDE Legal Memo- Parents Cannot Opt Children Out of Controversial Sex Education Curriculum

Oral Communications from the June 20, 2018 CUSD BOT Meeting

Board Audio at 19:00 Susan McCabe mother of 4 CUSD students. She expressed grave concerns over Teen Talk curriculum. Not medically accurate or age appropriate. Example- teaching that anal sex will reduce STD's. Teaching students about dental dams.

Board Audio at 22:20 Michelle McNutt Nurse and "progressive sex positive parent" who sits on the Sex Education Task Force Team. Advocate for Teen Talk. A handful of Task Force members wanted to rewrite curricula to include abstinence only until hetrosexual marriage lessons. This new curriculum is called SRA "Sexual Risk Avoidance". SRA lessons are illegal in the State of California. Was oppose to Pragger U video called "Gender Identity, Why all the Confusion?" Concerned about the legitimacy of the task force. These members are not here in good faith. Please do not let the personal beliefs of a fear mongering groups derail efforts to implement CHYA (California Healthy Youth Act)

Board Audio at 26:25 Dr Amy Wickstrom Child Therapist and mother of 5 small children. Greatful for the task force. Written two different sex ed curriculum and she has worked in Africa Dominican Republic and Hatti. Research supports that abstinence is the a good choice for adolescents. She is a Christian and supports Christian values.

Board Audio at 28:06 (Name not audible) Children's brains are not fully developed until age 25. She does not feel children in public school should not be exposed to what is essentially soft porn in the classroom at such early ages. Parents must be empowered to protect their children and make the decision as to what is age appropriate content.

A group called Youth First which supports the new SEX ED instruction in public schools is calling all of its members to show up to CUSD Board meeting Wednesday to show support of this curriculum which is NOT medically accurate or age appropriate.

KEEP POLITICS OUT OF OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

The curriculum these people are defending is NOT age appropriate or medically accurate.

Youth First O.C. is a growing coalition of youth and adult advocates fighting for the health and dignity of all youth in Orange County.

We started meeting in response to a county-wide attack on the California Healthy Youth Act by groups who are going to school board meetings where they are spreading irresponsible misinformation and spewing hateful anti-LGBTQ rhetoric hurtful rhetoric that emboldens bullying, bigotry and discrimination. Their fear-based tactics and misleading information are dangerous and can lead to increases in teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

In addition to being against the implementation of comprehensive sexual health education, they are against AB1266 which supports transgender students; they are against SB48 which mandates that curriculum be inclusive of LGBT and people with disabilities; and they are against Safe and Welcoming Classrooms for all students. Some are even pro-bullying because they think it will make youth stronger. This hurts all youth.

We hope you will join us in this countywide coalition and effort to fight fear and ignorance and to make sure all children in Orange County flourish. We are organizing for the duration!

Our next meeting is TUESDAY, AUGUST 7 at The LGBT Center on 4th St. We will continue with our planning and also prepare to attend the Orange County Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, August 15 at 2:00 pm.

Planning meeting:
Tuesday, August 7
6:00pm - 8:00pm
LGBT Center on 4th
305 E. 4th Street, Suite 202, Santa Ana, 92701

The LGBT Center OC’s Center on 4th (Co4) is located on 4th street between Spurgeon and French, above the Frida Cinema and adjacent to Native Son Alehouse.

There are parking meters on 4th street and there is a pay lot just behind the building on 5th Street between Bush and French. The easiest place to park is in the pay parking lot in the back of the building - the entrance is on 5th St. and Spurgeon (between Bush and French). Pull into the pay lot from 5th and after the toll booth, turn LEFT. Drive up to the top of the second floor - and park at the far end of the second floor (adjacent to French St.). There is a DOOR from the parking lot that opens right onto the balcony next to our space. Just walk up to the front entrance.

OC Board of Education meeting:
Wednesday, August 15
2:00 pm - ?
200 Kalmus Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Feel free to bring snacks!If you have any questions, please contact Laura Kanter.
laura.kanter@lgbtcenteroc.org
714-953-5428 x206