It’s official! A majority of Washingtonians showed their resounding support for comprehensive sex education and passed Referendum 90. We are so grateful. Thank you for your support!
Referendum 90 will uphold the new Washington state law requiring all public schools to teach age-appropriate, inclusive, comprehensive sexual health education to K-12 students.
why it’s important
Young people who have quality sex education are less likely to partake in risky sex behavior, experience unintended pregnancy, or get a sexually transmitted infection.
Young people need access to information and resources about healthy relationships to help them understand how to respect personal boundaries, ask for consent, and learn how to say and receive a “no.”
LGBTQ youth deserve to see themselves reflected positively in sexual health education and experience acceptance by their teachers and peers.
Providing sex education in public schools promotes racial equity because schools that teach disproportionately Black and Brown students are more likely to use abstinence-only education; and students of color are more burdened with societal stigmas and stereotypes against them and their sexual freedom.
Young children who are being sexually abused don’t understand what is happening until someone provides them with the tools and language to communicate it with a trusted adult.
what people are saying
“I am a father, husband, and a sex ed teacher. I have seen firsthand the positive difference this kind of curriculum has made in the lives of countless youth. As a father, I am one of my child’s first and most important teachers – and strive to openly communicate my values to my child. As a teacher, I strive to communicate vital information that kids can use to apply within the context of their own families.”
— Tim McLeod, Sex ed teacher and father in Olympia
“As a parent, I encourage you to support R-90 this fall so all our kids can have access to inclusive sex ed.”
— Yokiko Hayashi-Saguil, parent in Olympia
“I opted my children out of sex ed at school because I was ‘for abstinence’ and talking to my kids about sex when they were older. Then, when my daughter was 15, she told me she had been sexually assaulted by a very close family friend when she was 8 years old. It was then I realized the importance of comprehensive sexual health education, because it would have given her the tools to come forward earlier.”
— Janet, mother and advocate for CSHE
“This sexual health education law protects youth rights, young people’s right to knowledge, and local control by working with parents and the state to find the best curriculum for the community. I proudly support it.”
— Carin Chase, Edmonds School Board Director
“I want sex education that includes my sexuality and what my relationships would look like, as I don’t identify as heterosexual. I want more inclusive sex ed, so I don’t feel left out while my classmates get to learn about themselves and their relationships.”
— Ayden Erickson, 16, student in Vancouver
"It is essential that we understand that science-based, comprehensive sex education offers knowledge, affirmation of the worth and dignity of each person regardless of who they love, care for our beloved children, and the development and refinement of tools for our young ones for life and health.”
— Rev. Dr. Linda Hart, Minister for Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation
“Vote to approve R-90 so all of our kids have access to the sex ed they deserve.”
— Marley Banker, parent in Seattle
What can I do?
Vote to approve R-90 this November.
Approve Reject
Donate
Donate to Safe & Healthy Youth Washington
Safe & Healthy Youth WA
PO Box 21961
Seattle, WA 98111
info@approve90wa.org