In Sonoma County, a controversy is brewing over an organization called Free to Be, which has teens making presentations advocating sexual abstinence, according to this Press-Democrat article. The ACLU is challenging the legality of school districts who allow the presentations, arguing they conflict with education code. An excerpt:
Among the players in the unfolding debate are the ACLU of Northern California, the California Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Free to Be, a Sonoma County group that has been promoting abstinence until marriage for 17 years.Caught in the middle are schools and districts that have hosted Free to Be speakers, including teens, to talk to students about the benefits of abstaining from sex until they are married.
"The law specifically requires that all elements of sex education be balanced and accurate," said Phyllida Burlingame, sex education policy director for the ACLU of Northern California, which has worked for months to keep Free to Be from giving presentations in public schools.
"Students (need to) receive a consistent message that is based on science, that includes accurate, effective information," she said.
Kelly Puente joined the Press-Telegram in 2006 as an editorial assistant and eventually worked her way up to general assignement reporter. Over the years, she’s covered everything from crime and breaking news to human interest and the cities of Bellflower and Cerritos. Kelly is a Long Beach resident and graduate of Cal State Long Beach. She’s new to the education beat and is looking for great stories.
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