Students in public schools throughout Pima County are not getting specific information about so-called alternative lifestyles if they participate in the sexual education programs their districts provide.
At most, a program will not use language about heterosexual marriages or βstraightβ sexuality but instead will refer to βhealthy, committed relationshipsβ or βpartners.β
What this means: If Tucson Unified School District passes its new curriculum, it will be the countyβs most inclusive for students who are, or might be, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.
The potential change has been made possible because Arizona repealed its anti-LGBTQ βNo Promo Homoβ law in April. That legislation, which was enacted in 1991, made it illegal for schools to βpromote a homosexual lifestyle,β βportray homosexuality as a positive alternative lifestyleβ or βsuggest that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sexβ when teaching students about HIV and AIDS.
Hereβs a quick snapshot of whatβs currently offered:
- Marana Unified School DistrictΒ lets interested students and families know about family life education thatβs offered after-school, on weekends and over the summer. The curriculums, which vary and are offered by different local agencies but not by the district directly, are most often from Arizona Youth Partnership.
- Sahuarita Unified, Flowing Wells Unified and the Vail School District use an Arizona Youth Partnership curriculum called βChoosing the Best.β The program stresses to students that delaying sex until they are in a committed, healthy relationship is the best way to avoid sexual risks such as unplanned pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases. The organization adjusted the programβs language three years ago so that it was more inclusive, but different sexual orientations or gender identities are not discussed directly.
- Amphitheater Public Schools has a maturation/sex education curriculum for grades 4-8, which focuses on basic facts about human reproduction and appropriate self-care. It also includes information about the risks and responsibilities of sexual activity. The approach, which was updated by the governing board in April, focuses on abstinence, but for grades seven and eight, also includes information about birth control. The curriculum does not assume heterosexuality and defines homosexuality. Students who have more LGBTQ questions are advised to seek information from a parent or trusted adult.
- Sunnyside Unified School District has a curriculum for grades 8 and 9 which has a strong emphasis on abstinence. It also provides information on prevention, strategies for studentsβ refusal skills and the benefits of delaying sexual activity as well as information on positive relationships and addressing abusive relationships. There is a separate curriculum for pregnant or parenting girls enrolled in the districtβs Teenage Parent High School program. LGBTQ relationships and lifestyles are not discussed directly, but language does not assume heterosexuality.
- Catalina Foothills School Districtβs sex-ed program is an optional curriculum called βHuman Growth and Developmentβ for grades 4 to 9 and includes sexuality, human development, relationships, decision-making, abstinence, contraception, and disease preventions. LGBTQ relationships are not taught, but may be discussed during the ninth grade βSexuality and Youβ session.
- Tanque Verde Unified includes βhealth educationβ in its growth and development curriculum, which focuses on anatomy and physiology, nutrition, personal care, exercise and emotional change. School nurses teach the program to students in the fifth and sixth grades. The lessons donβt include information about prevention of pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease or anything to do with LGBTQ lifestyles.
RELATED: Photo gallery: TUSD delays vote on Family Life CurriculumΒ
Photos: TUSD delays vote on Family Life Curriculum
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
Left, Rebel Sleighter, 11-year-old student at La Paloma Academy, and Genesis Alegria, 11-year-old student at La Cima Middle School, chant their opinions during Tucson Unified School District's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on Sept. 10. TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
Esther Alegria, 12-year-old student at La Cima Middle School, holds up a sign during a Tucson Unified School District board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on September 10th, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
A young student holds up a sign in opposition of Tucson Unified School District's new Family Life Curriculum during TUSD's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on September 10th, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
Gabriel Corella, father of a 5-year-old student in private school, chants in opposition of Tucson Unified School District's new Family Life Curriculum during TUSD's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on September 10th, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
Elizabeth Vega, mother, yells in support of Tucson Unified School District's new Family Life Curriculum during TUSD's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on September 10th, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
Monica Davis, mother, holds up an LGBTQ sign during Tucson Unified School District's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on September 10th, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
A group of people line up outside and chant during Tucson Unified School District's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on September 10th, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
Left, Eyren Huffman, 20-year-old pre-law student at the University of Arizona, and Riley Conklin, 20 and political science student at the UA, share a kiss during Tucson Unified School District's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on September 10th, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
Carol Brochin, Luz Trujillo and her son Luie Gonzalez, an 11th-grader in the Amphitheater School District, support the proposed changes to sex education during Tucson Unified School District's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on Sept.10, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
TUSD Family Life Curriculum
Updated
A crowd of people gather outside to watch Tucson Unified School District's board meeting at Duffy Community Center 5145 E. 5th St., on September 10th, 2019.Β TUSD delayed the vote on their new Family Life Curriculum, which has become controversial.
