Did you know that MN sex education must include information about abstinence until marriage and does not need to include any information about sexual orientation or gender identity? In fact, there's no statewide rules for how schools teach us about sexual health at all! This means students across school districts receive completely different info about sexual and reproductive health, while others get no info at all. Thankfully, the Minnesota Legislature has the power to fix it.

Our state's standards are horribly out of date, and it's time for a refresh. Join young people across Minnesota demanding our government provide Minnesota students sexual health education that is:

• medically accurate

• focused on consent, and healthy vs. unhealthy relationships

• shame-free

• culturally responsive

• LGBTQ inclusive

• age-appropriate

Thirty years of public health research clearly demonstrates that young people benefit from receiving age-appropriate sex education. Honest, inclusive sex education curricula has been shown to reduce the rates of STI’s, unplanned pregnancies, and sexual assault.

Minnesota parents also want sex ed! According to the 2022 Minnesota Adolescent Sexual Health Report, over 90% of Minnesota parents are in favor of sexual health education being offered in the classroom, with 96% of parents wanting the information young people receive to be medically accurate. ALL parents deserve assurance that schools in their communities are committed to providing factual, high quality information to keep their children safe and healthy - especially with sex education.

Sex education must be inclusive of ALL young people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, or sexual experiences. If passed, this bill will ensure consistent sex education for students from all areas of Minnesota to receive accurate information on healthy relationships, consent, and communication skills — critical information for young people to make healthy decisions.

So join the Minnesota Youth Activist Alliance in supporting this bill by signing this petition. Then be sure to share this action and spread the word!