Last week, our own Sarah Tomchesson made the case for a sex-positive alternative to the abstinence model of sex education. Yesterday, Illinois lawmakers took a big step in the right direction, by mandating discussion of birth control in all sex ed classes in the state’s public schools.
Gawker reports:
Previously schools had three options when it came to sex ed: abstinence-only classes, comprehensive classes covering both abstinence and safe sex, or no sex ed classes at all. Thanks to the new measure, which Governor Pat Quinn is expected to sign into law, schools will now have to either teach the comprehensive sex ed courses or avoid sex ed altogether.
It’s a start. In the meantime, those young people in less enlightened states can always find help at Scarleteen.
