Colorado Bill Would Force Schools to Teach Homosexuality and Transgenderism

Colorado lawmakers recently introduced HB19-1032, a bill “concerning comprehensive sexuality education” that increases grants to schools to provide human sexuality instruction. Titled “The Youth Wellness Act,” it specifies that the “relational or sexual experiences” of LGBT-identified individuals must be included in sexuality education. Educators must also “promote youth understanding of sexual activity, sexuality, and sexual orientation as a normal part of human development.”

These requirements are bad enough, but the bill is egregious on even more fronts. It forbids the employment of “gender norms or gender stereotypes” in teaching. This includes the truth that there are two sexes, male and female, which is considered by gender activists to be a “stereotype.”

HB19-1032 goes on to specify that comprehensive human sexuality education “also teaches youth about the different relationship models they and their peers may engage in, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender peers, and how to be a safe and healthy partner in a relationship.” Instructors are prohibited from “explicitly or implicitly teaching or endorsing religious ideology or sectarian tenets or doctrines.”

The legislation would add members to the state’s sex education oversight entity, including “at least 7 members who are members of groups of people who have been or might be discriminated against.” This creates room for more activist involvement in state sex education. The bill could impact charter schools, which have been able to receive waivers from different state requirements.

The bill creates numerous problems as it codifies “sexual orientation and gender identity” (SOGI) into Colorado’s public school sex education. SOGI laws have been highly detrimental to religious freedom, free speech and parental rights. The Colorado Catholic Conference opposes the legislation because it encroaches on local and parental control of education and stigmatizes their beliefs.

As you might expect, HB19-1032 is finding support from groups such as Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, The ACLU Colorado, and the LGBTQ activist group Out Boulder County.

Our friends at Colorado Family Action and Family Policy Alliance have a simple way for Coloradans to send a message to legislators about this troubling bill. Make your voice heard and pass on this information to friends and family in Colorado.