Protesters rally as Fairfax school board further debates combining genders for sex ed
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — The discussion on combining genders in Family Life Education (FLE), or sex ed, may have been delayed by the Fairfax County School Board, but protesters shouted to bring the issue back into focus Thursday.
Students with the Pride Liberation Project, a student-led LGBTQIA+ advocacy group in Fairfax County, rallied ahead of the FCPS board meeting.
The group's leader, Rivka Vizcardo-Lichter, said the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade pushed them to urge the board to adopt the changes.
"If they adopt this reform of creating co-ed FLE, they will be taking a step forward in advancing inclusivity of transgender and non-binary students," said Vizcardo-Lichter. "It's a step forward in recognizing that queer people need to learn about their sexual health in a safe way."
RELATED: Fairfax County school board debates mixing genders in 4th-8th grade sex education classes
The Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee (FLECAC) issued a number of recommendations, including mixing genders in grades 4th through 8th in certain units topics like puberty, human reproduction, and sexual health.
This is a practice that has already been implemented in some Metro D.C. school districts.
Still, some including Kathleen Mallard, believe this is the wrong move for students who she said are not mature enough to receive the information.
"Some of the discussions are about activities I think almost are sexualizing our children to some extent, up to the point of almost grooming them," said Mallard. "I think this is not a good idea to have them both all in the same class, boys and girls."
While there was no vote on the changes, the board prepared to appoint new members to the advisory committee, as the new superintendent looking on.
READ MORE: 'An important break': Recess will soon be required at all Fairfax County middle schools
"I'm hopeful that the new superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid will, in fact, give us opportunities to meet with her, various groups, get balanced input," said Mallard.
"We're not asking anyone to take on any crazy reforms," said Vizcardo-Lichter. "We're asking them to adopt the FLECAC reforms, which is the committee that they chose themselves."
The proposed changes will be reviewed by the school board during the upcoming school year.
