Advocate for Comprehensive Sex Education: 2024 Is a Pivotal Year
As we approach the critical 2024 election season, the stakes for comprehensive, inclusive sex education have never been higher. Our recently released 2024 Sex Ed Legislative Mid-Year Report highlights the progress we've made and the significant challenges that remain. Now, more than ever, we need your support to ensure that all young people receive the education and care they deserve.
Together, we can ensure that every young person has access to the education and resources they need to make informed decisions about their health and future.
The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act (REAHYA) is at the forefront of this effort. This groundbreaking legislation is vital for providing comprehensive, medically accurate, and inclusive sex education to every young person, regardless of where they live or who they are. Our report shows that while there have been victories, numerous states continue to introduce and pass legislation that undermines the health and rights of LGBTQ+ youth and restricts access to essential sexual health education.
What's at stake? As the 2024 election approaches, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and other restrictive measures are being weaponized to erode the progress we've made. The outcome of these elections will have lasting impacts on the future of sex education across the country. It's crucial that we act now to advocate for policies that support comprehensive sex education, including the passage of REAHYA.
Thank You for your continued support and commitment to advancing sex education for all. Let's make sure that as we head into the 2024 election season, the voices advocating for comprehensive sex education are louder and stronger than ever.
In solidarity,
SIECUS Policy Team
Letter to Members of Congress:
Dear Representative,
I am writing to urge you to prioritize the passage of the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act (REAHYA), a crucial piece of legislation that holds the power to transform the landscape of sexual health education in our nation, particularly for LGBTQ+ youth. As a concerned constituent and advocate, I firmly believe that evidence-based, medically accurate, and LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education is an essential tool in addressing the pressing social issues facing LGBTQ+ youth. At least seven states have laws that are explicitly anti-LGBTQ. In fact, a 2015 GLSEN study found that less than 6% of students reported having sex education classes that showed LGBTQ identity in a positive light.
Sex education can be one of the few sources of reliable information on sexuality and sexual health for youth. Schools' tendencies to perpetuate negative or “othering” attitudes towards LGBTQ people place them at greater risk of violence and create significant sexual and reproductive health disparities – particularly among young LGBTQ people of color. Only 11% of LGBTQ youth of color believe their racial/ethnic group is regarded positively in the United States. Additionally, for LGBTQ youth of color, the challenges are exacerbated by the lack of health educators and programs that relate directly to their experiences with LGBTQ- and race-based discrimination.
REAHYA is a beacon of hope in addressing these challenges, particularly for LGBTQ+ youth who are often marginalized and excluded from traditional sex education programs. It seeks to ensure that all young people receive age-appropriate and medically accurate sex education, empowering them to make informed decisions about their sexual health, relationships, and future. By redirecting funding from the failed “Sexual Risk Avoidance” program to support evidence-based sex education curricula, REAHYA promises to equip our youth with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the complexities of adolescence.
Furthermore, it is essential to note that the vast majority of parents and young people, regardless of political affiliation, overwhelmingly support comprehensive sex education. Decades of research demonstrate that sex education when taught as outlined in REAHYA, leads to improved mental health, academic achievement, reduced intimate partner violence, delayed sexual activity, and increased condom and contraceptive use among sexually active youth.
Currently, programs like the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP) and the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) are the only federal initiatives supporting evidence-based sex education. These programs have garnered bipartisan support and are instrumental in reducing unwanted teen pregnancies and STI transmission rates while fostering safe and supportive school environments.
Therefore, I urge you to support the Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act, allocate increased funding for the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program, and bolster support for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's school-based HIV and STI prevention efforts. By investing in comprehensive, LGBTQ+ inclusive sex education, we can empower young people to lead healthier lives, reduce unintended pregnancies, and promote positive sexual health outcomes nationwide. Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to your support in prioritizing sex education for all.