Hi, we are the Better Sex Education Initiative. We’re a group working through the Honors College at East Carolina University. Our goal is to change parts of the NC Healthy Youth act to be scientifically objective and factually accurate. The NC Healthy Youth Act, House Bill 88, lays out the guidelines for what is required of sex education in NC public schools. The two subsections, which are described below, desperately need to be changed. This is where we need your help! We would love your support by signing this petition to get the attention of the NC General Assembly. 

We are petitioning to change sections 4(A) and 4(E) of the North Carolina Healthy Youth Act. The first section states that sex education, “Teaches that abstience from sexual activity outside of marriage is the expected standard for all school-age children;” We propose that this must be revised due to it being in direct violation with the act’s own stipulation which states that information presented in sex education must be factually accurate, objective, and based on scientific research. Our revision of section 4(A) states that sex education, “Teaches that abstience from sexual activity outside of marriage is the expected standard for all persons under the legal age of consent;” Section 4(E) states that sex education, “Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous heterosexual relationship in the context of marriage is the best lifelong means of avoiding sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS;” This also violates the stipulation of information needing to being factually accurate, objective, and based on scientific research. We propose that the language be revised to, “Teaches that a mutually faithful monogamous relationship using abstinence or proper preventative measures is the best lifelong means of avoiding sexually transmitted diseases and infections;” It is crucial that this dangerously inaccurate legislation be revised to allow NC sex education to provide students with a fully comprehensive education. In turn, allowing them to have the information they need to make informed decisions regarding their sexual health.

In an era that values scientific fact more than any other form of research, it is crucial that one of the most fundamental aspects of human life, sex, is taught well, accurately, and based on secular, biological fact as opposed to any biased opinion.  We ask you to sign this and help us achieve our goal of making NC sex education the best that it can possibly be.

Contact Information:

Email: bettersexedinitiative@gmail.com

Instagram: better.sex.ed