Fact Sheet: Modernize + Improve Rhode Island Sexual Education

Bill H7166 (Rep. Kislak) | S2285 (Sen. Mack)

Right now, middle-school and high-school students in Rhode Island are not receiving adequate and sexual education in our public schools.

We need to make sure that all students have access to sexual education that is accurate, inclusive, and pleasure-based. This bill will ensure that Rhode Island students receive empowering and affirming sexual education, giving teens the knowledge to take charge of their health and their futures.

What this bill will do:

• All schools (grades 6 through 12) must provide sexual education programs that are appropriate for students of all races, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, ethnic and cultural backgrounds
• Sexual education programs must address gender identity and expression and the harm of negative gender stereotypes
• Sexual education programs will affirmatively recognize pleasure-based sexuality and different sexual orientations
• Sexual education programs and lessons will include same-sex relationships in discussions and examples

Why this bill is important:

• Ignoring LGBTQ+ identities in sexual education curriculum further marginalizes and stigmatizes LGBTQ+ youth and puts them at greater risk for STDs/STIs, unplanned pregnancies, and unhealthy or abusive relationships.
• According to SEICUS, schools’ tendencies to perpetuate negative or “othering” attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people place them at greater risk of violence and create significant sexual and reproductive health disparities – particularly among young LGBTQ+ people of color.
• Evidence suggests that comprehensive sex education helps young people have healthy and responsible relationships. Ensuring pleasure-based sex education will help de-stigmatize sex and allow students to build safer sexual relationships. (Guttmacher Institute)
• Rhode Island has the opportunity to become a leader in sex ed: only 11 states and DC require discussion of LGBTQ+ identities and relationships to be inclusive and affirming. (Guttmacher Institute)
• 6 states require providing negative information on homosexuality and/or positive emphasis on heterosexuality. (Guttmacher Institute)
   

Sex education in Rhode Island is required to include instruction on a variety of topics including reproduction, abstinence, dating and dating violence, marriage, and parenthood, as well as information about STDs, sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Despite these requirements, curriculum is not mandated to be comprehensive. The lack of such requirements present further challenges in ensuring that low income districts have access to the resources needed to implement comprehensive sex education. (SIECUS Rhode Island Profile)

We must build upon our progress and ensure sexual education in Rhode Island will be more inclusive of all identities (racial, cultural, gender, sexual orientation, and more) and incorporate education about pleasure.

This legislation takes a step in the right direction toward more comprehensive sexual education that improves the health of Rhode Island students.