Posts
In a voice vote Wednesday, the House Education Committee
passed a bill requiring that schools’ “family life education” curricula focus
on abstinence, which it defines as avoiding “any kind of sexual contact.”
“All this bill does is it defines what abstinence means,”
said its sponsor, Rep. Jim Gotto (R-Hermitage). “And it gives the parent a
cause of action if it’s violated.”
Under the measure, a parent has the right to sue an outside
vendor whose presentation promotes sexual activity.
Gotto said he proposed the bill in response to complaints
that some outside vendors were telling students that any kind of sexual
activity is permissible so long as sexual intercourse does not take place. But
House Minority Leader Craig Fitzhugh (D-Ripley) said the measure does not
specify “sexual activity,” meaning that “holding hands in a romantic behavior”
might be misconstrued. The companion bill passed the Senate in a 29-1 vote
earlier this month.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the
quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make
healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The
Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE
REMAIN STRONG!
