Essential Estrogen

Members of the Iowa House voted 54-40 to pass HF 611, known in most circles as the 'sex education bill.' Unfortunately, two amendments allowed blankets of ignorance to remain on many of Iowa's young.

Amendment 1493 inserts a sentence into the bill which allows state accredited but non-public schools to choose curriculum "in accordance with doctrinal teachings."

Amendment 1496 is both ignorant and unnecessary. It essentially offers an interpretation of the proposed law and, no doubt, was written to reassure certain constituents of the continued status of abstinence-based and abstinence-only programs. Perhaps members of the Iowa House need a lesson about the three branches of government?

The first amendment was proposed by Rep. Dave Heaton (R-Mt. Pleasant) and Rep. Jodi Tymeson (R-Winterset). The second amendment was put forth by Rep. Cindy Wincker (D-Davenport).

Lawmakers did, however, reject changes to allow groups such as the Heritage Foundation to be named as reliable sources of fact/research-based statements for sex education curriculum.

This bill was written and intended to ensure researced-based, age-appropriate sex education in Iowa schools. It also calls for school districts to provide such curriculum information to agencies and organizations upon request. When this law is in place any school which is accredited by the state will not be able offer statements in relation to intercourse, sexually transmitted disease and HIV/AIDS which are false and cannot be backed up by scientific research.

This is what makes the second amendment completely unnecessary. Not only is it attempting to interpret as well as create a law, but it is overlooking the scientific, research-based fact that the best way to avoid exposure to sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy and HIV/AIDS is to practice abstinence.

The doctrinal teachings bit is just one more nice, ineffective line in our law books which was placed there only to appease those who believe anything which doesn't force their own particular religious-based 'doctrine' on everyone is wrong. We can only hope those peace-loving, globally orgasmic folks don't head into Iowa and start up a school. (Then again, think of the homework assignments.)

An interesting item of note is the changes in lobbyist declarations since we last discussed the proposed law. Most recently the Concerned Women for America have stated their opposition. Of course the various right to life groups have opposed as well (although I'm still trying to wrap my head around why). We noted last time that the Iowa Association of Christian Schools was undecided on the bill (as of March 6), this surprisingly has not changed. There are no other religious-based lobbying groups who have remained either for or undecided on this bill. In the interim, it appears organized labor and the Iowa Coaltion Against Sexual Assault are promoting the bill.

Ironic as it may seem, the bill allows for each and every parent in Iowa to request his/her child not participate in the required sex education curriculum. So, schools that are comprised of families who believe sex education can and should only be taught in the home only need to provide waiver forms and the entire requirement can pretty much be dropped in the nearest litter box. Sure a district will still need to have a plan, but no one will ever have to benefit from it.

The bill was sent immediately to the Senate and should be placed in the record there at the start of next week. It will be interesting to see if state senators attempt to do the right thing and put some teeth back into the bill. It is possible since they've just sent SF 514 which calls for insurers to cover the HPV vaccine over to the House. And if that doesn't seem like excitement enough for you, SF 427 (an act relating to the Iowa civil rights Act and discrimination based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity) has been put into a house subcommittee for consideration.

If you have time, be sure to visit the Cedar Rapids Gazette article on this bill. Not only does it have some wonderful quotes from Rep. Mary Mascher (D-Iowa City), it lists some of the misinformation which has been distributed via sex education curricula prior to this bill. Here's a taste:

Poverty, depression, suicide and many other problems may be totally eliminated by remaining abstinent until marriage;

One half of gay male teens have tested positive for HIV;