Vote "Approve" on Referendum 90 (SB5395)

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 young adulthood 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 a strong majority of Washingtonians support requiring schools to offer scientifically based, medically accurate, age-appropriate, comprehensive sex education (86% support, 70% “strongly support,” according to Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest); 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 2020, with the support of Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal; and

Whereas SB 5395 would require school districts to adopt or develop, consistent with state standards, comprehensive age-appropriate sexual health education, as defined, for all students, and excuse students if their parents request;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Salish Sea Chapter of the WA State Federation of Democratic Women urges all voters to vote “Approve” on Referendum 90 (SB 5395) in the November 2020 election, in order to assure the availability of age-appropriate, comprehensive, scientifically based, inclusive sex education that varies by grade level, and includes affirmative consent and bystander training; K-3 instruction would only be social-emotional learning for students in Washington.

Adopted by the Salish Sea Chapter of the Washington State Federation of Democratic Women (WSFDW) on July 27, 2020.