As a general rule, I am not enthusiastic about the General Assembly micro-managing school curriculum, but since Senator Tallian’s SB 309 merely amends some micro-managing already in place, I suppose it’s all right. It would require sex education, which already requires abstinence education, to also include information about AIDS and HIV that is “factual, medically accurate, and age appropriate.” I’d go further and say those three things are good criteria for any education concerning the human body.
As defined in the bill, “Medically accurate” information means information that is supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods; and recognized as accurate and objective by leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the medical field to which the information relates. The problem, of course, is that there is nothing in here that tells the kids that STDs are righteous punishment from the Almighty for their wicked ways. Perhaps it can be amended in committee.
Remember what happened to Joycelyn Elders when she tried to advocate for Medically Accurate Sex Education. Clinton fired her. From wikipedia:
“In 1994, she was invited to speak at a United Nations conference on AIDS. She was asked whether it would be appropriate to promote masturbation as a means of preventing young people from engaging in riskier forms of sexual activity, and she replied, “I think that it is part of human sexuality, and perhaps it should be taught.””
Let’s think about this for a minute… Bill Clinton…