Sexuality Education in Public Schools 1994 Resolution of Immediate Witness

BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and

BECAUSE Unitarian Universalists affirm the value of loving relationships—heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender; and

WHEREAS youth are increasingly exposed to and victimized by rape and incest, unplanned pregnancy, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment;

WHEREAS the Texas Republican Party platform, adopted on June 11, 1994, states that "homosexuality should not be presented as an acceptable lifestyle in our public schools" and that "we also oppose the use of any tax dollars for any program . . . which teaches and legitimizes sexual activity, birth control, abortion, and homosexuality";

WHEREAS there are high suicide rates among heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender high school students; and

WHEREAS each high school class graduating without appropriate sexuality education is more prone to prejudiced attitudes, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 1994 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association condemns the platform expressed by the Texas Republican Party; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the 1994 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges member congregations to advocate the availability of comprehensive, objective, unbiased, up-to-date, age-appropriate, sexuality education curricula in public schools, including information about:

  • the reproductive system and its functions;
  • the proper use of all forms of contraception, including the option of abstinence;
  • sexually transmitted diseases, their prevention and treatment;
  • sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual harassment, rape (including date rape), and incest, as well as their prevention and treatment through counseling, information, and resources;
  • pregnancy counseling and options including information about organizations such as Planned Parenthood and BirthRight; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that sexuality education curricula be taught by teachers specifically trained to educate youth on the topic of sexuality education, and that the curricula will encompass heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender orientations and include a focus on sexual responsibility and the emotional aspects of relationships and crises; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that member congregations are urged to make available sexuality education programs, such as About Your Sexuality, to both Unitarian Universalist youth and youth in the community at large.