Sign peitition to upend "seXXX ed"

I encourage readers to support Referendum 90 repealing the new K-12 sexual education law.

The Legislature recently passed this bill, Senate Bill 5395, creating new learning standards for sexuality education. It requires instruction to begin in kindergarten in 2021.

The state adheres to the National Sexuality Education Standards under the advice of Planned Parenthood and the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network, but with no conservative balance.

For K-3 instruction, the state offers only one curriculum: “Rights, Respect and Responsibility.”

The curriculum refers to “… the rights of transgender youth and the importance of intentional and authentic inclusion of transgender issues.”

Gender definition: “The set of meanings assigned by a culture or society to someone’s perceived biological sex.”

The law allows districts to develop their own curricula. However, they are required to submit this curriculum, unlike any other subject, to the state to ensure it aligns with these new standards.

I am not against teaching about sexual health or abuse. I am against incremental government encroachment on school districts and parental rights.

Although parents may opt their children out, they can’t opt them out of playground conversation afterward.

Voters — not biased legislators in Olympia—should decide whether students should be subjected to comprehensive sexual health education. The state requires 130,000 signatures to place the referendum on the November ballot.

Registered voters may sign a petition by June 1 at select retailers in Ritzville, Lind or Washtucna or from 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 11 by the Ritzville City Pool.

Kim Schofstoll

Ritzville