Sexual education within the United States, and around the world, is incredibly dated. Many counties within the US still promote abstinence only sex ed. This is not only dangerous, but just plain reckless of these governments to still promote. In an era of sexual positivity, the ways we teach safety about it are ridiculous. Specifically, for students within the LGBTQ+ community. 

The lack of a comprehensive and inclusive sexual education within the United States threatens the nation’s youth’s health and safety. By creating a more diverse and expansive curriculum, we would be creating a safer and more educated population regarding sexual safety. Including, but not limited to, sexually transmitted diseases, infections, and pregnancy. It would also recognize that many people have many different forms of sex and though that is true, protection should still be used. A newer curriculum would recognize and address questions about LGBTQ+ intercourse, as well as relationships, sexualties, and gender identity. Now I know that this sounds like some liberal mumbo jumbo, but the recognition of these students, because like it or not they exist, can create a sense of inclusion and wantedness. These feelings are some of which young members of the LGBTQ+ community do not often feel. A new curriculum would also address heterosexual relationships, intercourse and protection, as teen pregnancies, STD/I’s are a raging issue with todays you. 

My own sex ed. experience is a tale of misfortune in it’s own right. I am a gay man, but I was not out at the time. I learned very surface level information about diseases, infections, and protection, and then moved on to watching a movie that had no relevance to the curriculum. Now, as a sexually active adult, I wish I had more knowledge about the risks involved with unprotected sex. 

Through this petition, recognition of the issue can happen, and with enough support, it can be helped into the school system not only in Colorado, but the entire United States.