Controversy over Rhode Island sex education bill

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – Dozens of Rhode Islanders testified, and reached out to ABC6 News through email and social media with a hearing on a new sex education bill on Wednesday. 

The House Education Committee met at the state house at 3 p.m. over the bill that outlines sex education for grades 6 through 12 to include same-sex relationships, gender identity, and “pleasure based sexual relations.” 

“Any child under 18, we should not be talking about sexual pleasure. We shouldn’t be talking about some of these topics that they’re looking to roll into sexual education,” parent Kimberly Quagan said. “I think it should be basically from a clinical standpoint that’s one thing, and I actually think anything they want to teach regarding this matter, the curriculum should be approved by parents.” 

The primary sponsor of the bill, Rep. Rebecca Kislak, would not define what “pleasure” meant in the legislation during an interview. 

“I think that one word in the legislation is not, should not be the focus here,” Rep. Kislak said. 

Another member of the education committee, Rep. Sherry Roberts, told ABC6 News: “Let them decide, because each person is different and parents know their own children.”

Parents in Rhode Island are able to opt their child out of sex education by contacting their child’s principal.