Michigan approves new standards for Sex Education Cards despite backlash from parents

The Michigan State Board of Education approved new standards for Sex Education Cards, including recommendations for students to be taught about gender identity and sexual preferences.

The guidelines of the “Michigan Health Education Relituduents” were adopted on Thursday after a vote of 6-2, despite the consecration of parents and clergy, who oppose the rights of parents and other freedoms.

Sponsors of the standards, however, argue that they are age-appropriate and will help LGBTQ+ students understand themselves.

State education authorities say parents still have the option of opting out without penalty. Language was added to the new standards that address the federal law’s health and sexuality education, local school management and parental choice.

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More than 100 people spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting, either in person or online. Some people wave small pride flags during public comment.

“What’s the rush? Why now? Why today? If you really want to deal with health and sex,” Eleen McNeil said during public comment.

John Grossenbacher, the parent of the television channel and the State election, said that the position of the parents should be the only one that matters. He organized a petition of 1,600 people calling on the Board to withdraw or reject the proposal.

Macom County resident Sheila Cahoon said: “We need to keep gender ideology at home and let parents teach that.”

Some speakers said it was time for the State to embrace change and embrace new standards of sexuality. Many of them, including parents of transgender students, who are called to the board to implement the standards, say they give students the information they need to understand their identity.

“Youth and generation Z and the society you serve are calling for a more inclusive and gender-inclusive sexuality,” said Detroit’s Brianna Bryat.

Another speaker, Stella Shananaquet, linked the problem of organized sex in schools to other military officials dealing with LGBTQ+ students.

“The senses have lost the bathroom wars, so here we are again wearing a different outfit,” she said. “No one is teaching your kids about sex. They just know. They’re too afraid to tell you about it. The bottom line is, you don’t have to believe it.”

The speakers also touched on issues such as the mental health of students, religious values ​​and discussed LGBTQ+ topics.

The revised standards describe what students should know by the time they complete a particular grade.

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State education authorities say parents still have the option of opting their children out of sex education without penalty. (Mike Kemp / Images via Getty Images)

By the end of eighth grade, for example, students should be able to “define gender identity, gender expression, and sexual volition, and explain that they are unique elements of each person.”

The State Department of Education stressed that the standards are only guidelines and not mandates, adding that schools are still required to comply with all relevant state law.

“The standards provide guidance to local school districts and, as in previous versions, local control remains local and parents retain the right to decide whether their children will be able to decide on sex education instruction,” the Department of Sex Education said after the vote.

“Local boards of education determine the health curriculum in their districts which may include the religious curriculum of sex – if the district decides to offer sex the religious advisory boards must be evaluated by the parent boards 50%,” it added.

The State Department of Education also says that the revision is consistent with Michigan’s tax-paying rights law, the Elligan Settlement Rights Act, which authorizes changes in 2023 to protect people from discrimination based on gender based on gender identity.

Last month, state Republicans met with questions from State Superintendent Sue Cannell’s division at a Subcommittee meeting about how many governors and the consultation behind the request.

The Committee issued a subpoena to compel the State Department of Education to produce documents related to the standards.

State Board of Education Education member Nikki Snyder, a Republican, questioned whether the department has the authority to adopt these standards.

Board member Tom McMillin, also a Republican, said there are no penalties under federal law for schools that do not distribute opt-out forms. He said he was concerned that the State would exceed the illegal levels, which would be challenged legally and cost taxpayers money.

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Some parents and clergy say the standards undermine parental rights and religious freedom. (Stock)

Board member Tiffany Tilley, a Democrat, said the rates are “long overdue for an update.” This is the first update to teaching health education standards since 2007.

Under current state law, Michigan parents are allowed to opt their children out of sex education without penalty. Students must take life in high school to graduate but will not be penalized for opting out of sex education.

Schools are required to provide instruction on HIV/AIDS, but have wide flexibility in how much they teach about sex.

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If a school district offers sex education, they must have a religious advisory board made up of community members, including students and parents.

Teachers are not allowed to talk to students about abortion as a family planning method, and condoms cannot be distributed on campus.

The accompanying device contributed to this report.