Petition against “the removal and replacement of the gender, sexuality, and relationship-based education guidelines” proposed by our new government. 

I’m sick and tired of people, especially men, over twice my age making important decisions about my life. Gender and sexuality studies is a significant part of our education system; it teaches children how to be inclusive and respectful of their peers no matter their identity. 

This isn’t just about gender and sexually diverse individuals: without proper gender, sexuality and relationship education children will struggle to make informed decisions and become increasingly vulnerable to experiencing teen pregnancy, having underage sex, contracting STIs and getting into unhealthy relationships.

Gender and sexually diverse individuals have been on this earth for thousands of years; many animals are gender diverse and display homosexual behaviour but homophobia is only found in one species: humans. We need to take action against this by continuing to educate our kiwi youth on the significance of gender, sexuality and relationships. 

Resources: 

Family Planning NZ