Michigan adopts sex education standards recommending students be taught gender identity, sexual orientation

The Michigan State Board of Development approved new state sex schooling standards which include recommendations that students be taught about gender identity and sexual orientation The Michigan Physical condition Training Standards Guidelines were adopted on Thursday after a - vote despite pushback from several parents and pastors who argue they undermine parental rights and religious liberties Proponents of the standards however contend that they are age-appropriate and will help LGBTQ students understand themselves State training authorities say parents still have the option to opt their children out with no penalty Language was also added to the new standards addressing what state law says about medical and sex mentoring local control of schools and parent choice MINNESOTA LEADERSHIP FACES CALLS FROM SCHOOLS TO PROTECT GIRLS' SPORTS AS TRUMP'S TITLE IX DEADLINE LOOMSMore than people spoke during the population comment portion of the meeting either in person or online Several people waved small pride flags during population comment What is the hurry Why now Why in the current era Why this If you really want to address robustness and sex ed let s take time Citizens for Traditional Values President Eileen McNeil revealed during community comment John Grossenbacher a Clinton Township parent and candidate for state House stated the position of parents should be the only one that matters He organized a petition in which people called on the board to withdraw or reject the proposal Macomb County resident Sheila Cahoon commented We need to keep the gender ideology religion at home and let the parents teach that Other speakers argued that it was time for the state to embrace change and welcome new sex ed standards A great number of of them including parents of transgender students called on the board to adopt the standards saying they offer information students may need to understand their identities Young people and Generation Z and the population that you serve are calling for comprehensive and inclusive sex ed and standards Brianna Bryant of Detroit revealed Another speaker Stella Shananaquet linked the issue of sex ed in schools to other heritage war issues regarding LGBTQ students Deniers lost the bathroom wars so here we are again with it wearing a different dress she reported Nobody s teaching your kids gender identity They already know They re just too scared to tell you about it The bottom line is you don t have to believe in it You don t have to accept it but it exists Speakers also touched on issues such as novice mental wellbeing religious values and how LGBTQ topics are discussed The revised standards detail what students should know by the time they complete a certain grade MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY PARTIALLY REVERSES PROCEDURES ON CO-ED NEIGHBORHOOD BATHROOMS AFTER COMPLAINTBy the end of eighth grade for example students should be able to define gender identity gender expression and sexual orientation and explain that they are distinct components of every individual s identity The state Department of Coaching emphasized that the standards are only guidelines and not mandates adding that schools are still required to comply with all relevant state law The standards provide guidance to local school districts and as in previous versions local control remains in place and parents retain the right to decide whether their children should participate in sex learning instruction the state Department of Teaching revealed in a news release after the vote Local boards of schooling determine the fitness curriculum for their districts which may include sex guidance curriculum if the district decides to offer sex ed that has been reviewed by local sex guidance advisory boards that must include parent representation it added The state Department of Development also says the update complies with Michigan's revised civil rights law the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act which lawmakers amended in to protect people from discrimination based on gender identity Last month Republicans in the state House questioned Interim State Superintendent Sue Carnell at an Oversight Committee meeting about how various genders there are and the reasoning behind the proposal The committee has issued a subpoena to compel the state Department of Training to produce documents related to standards State Board of Guidance member Nikki Snyder a Republican solicited whether the department even has authority to establish these standards Board member Tom McMillin also a Republican commented there are no penalties under state law for schools that do not distribute opt-out forms He reported he is concerned the state will pass standards that go against the law will be legally challenged and cost taxpayers money MICHIGAN HS REACHES STATE 'ELITE EIGHT' WITH HELP FROM TRANS ATHLETEBoard member Tiffany Tilley a Democrat disclosed the standards were long overdue for an update This is the first update to state physical condition training standards since Under current state law Michigan parents are allowed to opt their children out of sex mentoring with no penalty Students must take wellbeing to graduate high school but cannot be penalized for opting out of sex mentoring Schools are required to provide instruction on HIV AIDs but have wide flexibility regarding how much they teach about sex If a school district offers sex teaching they must have a sex coaching advisory board made up of region members including students and parents Teachers are not allowed to talk to students about abortion as a means of family planning and condoms cannot be distributed on campus The Associated Press contributed to this assessment