Capitol News

Senator Jonathan Lindsey has expressed his opposition to proposed health education standards being considered by the Michigan State Board of Education. The proposed changes could include topics such as gender ideology, gender expression, sexual orientation, and same-sex attraction in the health class curriculum.

Lindsey, a Republican from Coldwater, stated, “While schools are bogged down in bureaucracy and student outcomes across the state are toward the bottom 10% nationally, the State Board of Education is narrowing its focus on blurring the lines between health and sex education by attempting to include overtly sexual topics like gender ideology and same-sex attraction as part of the health class curriculum.”

Currently, Michigan law gives local school districts control over elective sex education courses. Districts can choose whether to offer these courses, must provide parental notice, and allow parents to opt their children out. The guidelines may cover family planning, reproductive health, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.

The new proposal would blend some sex education content with traditional health education, which is required for graduation. If adopted, these changes could allow teaching about gender ideology and related subjects to students as young as sixth grade. However, districts would not be required to implement these changes even if they are approved by the state board.

Lindsey said, “This is a clear attempt at an end run around current law and the safeguards originally included by the Legislature to protect parents’ right to decide the moral direction of their child’s education.”

The proposed curriculum changes have faced opposition from some parents and lawmakers. Lindsey added, “Health class should focus on teaching healthy habits and lifestyles, not normalizing sexual perversions or teaching young students about gender ideology and sexual orientation — especially behind the backs of parents. I vehemently oppose this proposal, and while the public comment period is now closed, I encourage parents to continue speaking with their local school boards and making their voices heard!”

The State Board of Education has not yet formally adopted the proposed standards.