Liberty Public Schools will audit the sex-ed curriculum in 2023. Let’s take this opportunity to modernize instruction with the most current medical knowledge and meet the rapidly evolving needs of our students. This petition aims not to change the age at which sex-ed is taught in LPS, but to enhance existing yet inadequate instruction on HPV, HIV, consent, and contraception. Implementing more explicit standards on these topics will help reduce the rates of preventable diseases in our community and enable our students to make informed decisions about their health.

I have spoken to the LPS board of education and have met with the district assistant superintendent. Both parties seem receptive to new standards, and I feel we are close to change. The time is NOW, let the voice of public opinion be heard!

Please sign and share this petition to express support. Signatures from this petition will be presented to the LPS board of education to advocate for the following goals.

Petition Goals:

1) HPV, HPV and Cancer, HPV Vaccination:

Instruction on HPV should include description/symptoms, HPV’s relationship to cervical and other cancers, and present the HPV vaccine as safe and cancer preventative.

• It is estimated that there are more than 13 million new infections of HPV in the US each year and more than 80 percent of sexually active men and women will be infected in their lifetime. Although most infections are clear, some HPV infections progress to disease.
• HPV is responsible for more than 90% of anal and cervical cancers and more than 60% of penile cancers.
• The HPV vaccine is safe and prevents these cancers. 

2) HIV/AIDS and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Instruction on HIV should include description/symptoms, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and should identify at-risk communities.

• 26% of new HIV infections are among youth ages 13 to 24 years.
• PrEP is a medicine taken to prevent getting HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the risk of acquiring HIV from sex by about 99%. The most common form of PrEP is a once-daily pill covered at no additional cost by most health insurance plans.
• Although HIV can infect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, one at-risk community for HIV is men who have sex with men. In 2020, 68% of new HIV diagnoses were among men who have sex with men. 

3) Consent and Refusal of Unwanted Sexual Advances:

The Human sexuality curriculum should set standards for consent and refusal of unwanted sexual advances. Implementing standards on these topics will help lay the foundation of consensual, respectful relationships and aid our students in learning about the complexities of romantic relationships.

• 1 in 4 women and about 1 in 26 men have experienced completed or attempted rape.
• More than 4 in 5 female rape survivors reported that they were first raped before age 25 and almost half were first raped as a minor (before age 18).
• In the United States, most K-12 sex-ed curriculums do not offer proper instruction on consent.

4) Contraception

Instruction on contraception should explain the proper use, effectiveness, and complications of condoms, birth control pills, IUDs, and contraceptive implants. Instruction on contraception should also explain how to access contraception and its various forms.

• Comprehensive sexuality education should provide information about contraception (including long-acting reversible contraception methods) to prevent unintended pregnancies, as well as barrier protection to prevent sexually transmitted infections.
• When used correctly every time you have sex, male condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, the typical use success rate for condoms is 88%.