30 Nebraska senators urge schools to reject sex ed standards – Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Thirty Nebraska state lawmakers urged local school boards on Thursday to reject proposed state health standards that include lessons for young children on gender identity and gender expression.

The senators issued a joint public statement to local school boards. The standards under consideration by the Nebraska Department of Education would be optional if they’re approved, so school districts would be free to accept or ignore them.

Under the proposed standards, kindergartners would learn about different kinds of family structures, including same-gender families. First-graders would be taught about gender identity and gender stereotypes.

Students in fourth grade would be taught the difference between sex assigned at birth and gender identity.

Sixth graders would learn about a range of identities related to sexual orientation, including heterosexual, bisexual, lesbian, gay, queer, two-spirit, asexual and pansexual. They would be taught the differences between cisgender, transgender, gender nonbinary, gender expansive and gender identity.

The proposal has drawn huge crowds to education board meetings and faced strong opposition from Republican Gov. Pete Ricketts, who has no direct influence over the state board.

Supporters have said it’s important to give children scientifically accurate information.

All but one of the 30 senators who signed the statement are Republicans.

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