Resolution 971 – in support of Referendum 90 (merged with Res 960)
Merged with Resolution 960
WHEREAS age-appropriate, comprehensive, and inclusive sex education is critical to the health and safety of Washington’s young people, both short-term and long-term; and
WHEREAS LGBTQ young people need sex education that addresses their identities and experiences, and that provides all young people with opportunities to understand sexual orientation and gender identity in open, non-stigmatizing ways; and
WHEREAS young people need access to information and resources that include the importance of consent and healthy relationships – starting well before college and well before they become sexually active – to help them understand how to ask for consent, respect personal boundaries, and learn how to utter and accept a “No”; and
WHEREAS Senate Bill 5395, formalizing provisions regarding “Comprehensive Sexual Health Education” – but without change or compromise to the substance of the existing guidelines in the Washington State Health and Physical Education K-12 Learning Standards – was passed by our state legislature and signed into law by Governor Inslee in March, with the support of Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal; and
WHEREAS, even before SB 5395 was passed, Washington law required that sex education programs be age-appropriate when offered, but SB 5395 strengthened existing opt-out provisions to specify that all parents’ requests must be honored, while prohibiting school districts from choosing not to offer such instruction – so that a young person’s access to this important information would no longer be dependent on their zip code; and
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that WSDCC urge an “Approve” vote on Referendum 90, in order to assure the availability of age-appropriate, comprehensive, and inclusive sex education for all students in Washington.
Submitted by 44th Legislative District Democrats to the Washington State Democratic Central Committee for consideration at its September 12, 2020 Virtual meeting. (Date Submitted 8/13/2020)
Whereas references: