REFERENCE: https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/senators-object-to-proposed-nebraska-sex-education-standards/article_777126b5-2377-5dd9-b72a-b4eba9f4c34c.html?fbclid=IwAR0d0UwuFU0CCVPyARUh1CtPg1JSqyR694DSRU7ux9afX-J9Hokdcd5vpgk
Greetings, Senator X,
I was very disappointed to see your name listed as one of several Senators who opposes the potential sex education updates. The fact that so many Senators are opposed to the proper education of our youth is upsetting, but not surprising. In fact, it proves to me why this change in education is so important.
When Governor P. Ricketts tried to scare people to speak out against it, I went to the NE Education site as he prompted and examined the document on projected Health Education. Contrary to his expectations and scaremongering, I found it to be quite inclusive, important, and age-appropriate. I wrote to the Governor and those in charge of the proposed changes and let both parties know as much.
First of all, the document was created with input from educators across the state and with advice from doctors, psychologists and other behavioral and mental health experts, not scary "political activists" as Ricketts tried to frighten people. Secondly, the health standards are not mandatory, but are guidelines so schools can adjust as needed.
I thought that the lesson plans did a great job because they relied on facts and information about what children may be noticing or experiencing about their world. For young children, I noticed a lesson about different family structures, like adoptive parents, or same sex parents, or divorced parents, etc. There's no reason to hide this information, as some students live in families divergent from "mom, dad, kids". Children should understand there is no shame in these families, and should learn to not shame their friends who have different situations. This allows children to be knowledgeable and care about each other.
Likewise, children learning about the different people in this world helps them to understand we ALL have a right to be acknowledged and respected. This most definitely includes LGBTQ+ people. To think that children shouldn't know about this very important aspect of human sexuality is absurd. To treat it like something that should be hidden, or something shameful IS THE SHAMEFUL ASPECT. A good percentage of children already know someone who is LGBTQ+ or will meet someone who is or WILL REALIZE THEY ARE part of the LGBTQ+ grouping. To NOT give children factual and supportive information is detrimental to EVERYONE.
How many youth have been bullied or had to hide who they were, even from their own families? How many have attempted suicide or self-harm? When we deny youth information about facts or information, we are denying them to be who they are AND denying them the resources to become strong supportive people who accept the differences of others.
If Senators can't wrap their heads around the existence of LGBTQ+ people and their responsibility to protect their LGBTQ+ constituents, I should think they should spend some time with these lesson plans, as it would make them more mindful of their duties and who they represent. Denying education is absurd.
To think that parents should be the source of information on these issues, as Ricketts promoted, is also absurd. If parents have bias and hatred and ignorance, they will be examples of that to their children and the cycle continues. Having scientific facts about our varied society in the classroom is essential. Imagine a child who feels "different". They hear all the time about how their parent hates [insert awful words here]. This child feels shame, and fear, and unloved. Imagine this same child hears in school that it's fine to be different, and it's perfectly normal to be non-heterosexual. This child has been empowered. This child has hope that there are adults they can turn to for support and information because their parents lack education, information, and perspective.
Another important aspect I noticed is younger children learning the appropriate names for genitalia and learning about who is allowed to touch their bodies and how. There is no age limit for sexual abuse of children. If this information was left out of education so that "parents can talk about it"... can you imagine what happens to a child who is being abused by a family member? They don't have supportive people in the education system who can tell them what is happening to them is wrong or who can help them be removed from that harmful situation. Schools can be a place of protection for youth and they need to know that adults aren't afraid to be there for them and talk about these scary things and get help.
My own education in Nebraska was in Catholic school for K-12 and I had to rise above so much misinformation and ignorance in their sex education programs to get where I am today. I'm not the only one. It's a talking point among my family and friends how the sex education system failed us and gave us shame and misinformation. And at age 12, I already knew people who were LGBTQ+ and wish I had been given a better education to be more supportive and knowledgeable back then. If we can fix the education system so that there is less of a struggle for facts, information, and support, we must do it now, and the proposed lesson plans do this. The time for fear-mongering and handwringing is gone. We must rely upon facts and understanding to make Nebraska a more safe, welcoming, and educated place.
I am very passionate about LGBTQ+ people being honored and supported and protected because they exist among my family and among my friends. Even if they weren't among those I love, I can't stand the idea that lawmakers in the year 2021 STILL want people to be ashamed of who they are. If that's the case, those people need to step down. This state, this country, this world is for EVERYONE. Ignoring these people doesn't mean that kids will never meet them or learn about them or BECOME them. Denying this part of our humanity is dangerous.
To neglect the factual information about varying genders or sexualities is to neglect reality and to neglect the youth. Not providing this information as part of lesson plans will in fact lead to heightened problems with depression, suicide, abuse, and more. Everything is connected.
I need for anyone who doesn't "understand" LGBTQ+ people to find a way to learn about it and understand that they are every bit worthy of the human rights they have.
THERE IS NO AGE TOO YOUNG to introduce these ideas because these children ALREADY KNOW. They already have LGBTQ+ people among their family and their friends, and may already feel different themselves. If there is a fear of "normalizing" this, then the problem is the fear itself. It's already "normal" to be different. Have you heard the idea that if black children already know about racism at a young age, then white children should too? Same concept. We get stronger together with facts, information, support, and truth.
We need to empower and strengthen our youth to recognize these differences in themselves and others, to not carry the shame put upon them by the ignorant, and to protect and support each other. I find that this knowledge-based health and sexuality plan for Nebraska schools does just that, and is very necessary for the citizens of our state to rise from fear and ignorance and embrace inclusivity, facts, education, and progress.
Sincerely,
X
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