Detroit City Wire

Senator Jonathan Lindsey has expressed opposition to proposed changes to Michigan's health education standards under consideration by the State Board of Education. The proposal could introduce topics such as gender ideology, gender expression, sexual orientation, and same-sex attraction into health class curricula for students as young as sixth grade.

Lindsey 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.”

Current Michigan law gives local school districts control over elective sex education courses. Districts can choose whether or not to offer these courses, must notify parents about lessons, allow parents to opt their children out, and may cover subjects like family planning, reproductive health, and STD risk prevention.

The new proposal would blend sex education content with required health education classes. If adopted by the board, districts would still not be required to implement these changes.

Lindsey argued that this move undermines existing legal safeguards. “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,” he said.

Several parents and lawmakers have voiced public opposition to these proposed curriculum updates.

“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,” Lindsey said. “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 any changes related to this proposal.