Dear Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos,
I am a senior at Northwest High School and one of your constituents. As a member of Planned Parenthood’s Teen Council, I have the privilege to go to schools in the greater Seattle area and to teach sex education, ranging from consent, infection prevention, and contraception to inclusivity.
Growing up with two doctors for parents, I always knew their biggest concern was my health and safety—that’s why they encouraged me to learn the facts about sexual health. As I got older and moved through middle and high school, I realized that many of my friends did not get the same amount of information from their parents and how much misinformation is out there and so easy to consume on the internet or by word of mouth. Many of my friends didn’t know how sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are spread and the difference between birth control methods. My school offers sex ed during our freshman year, but it is very rushed and leaves out a lot of information on the fundamentals of living a healthy life, including lessons that are inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community and information about consent.
In 2016, there were a total of 883 cases of gonorrhea, and 7,040 cases of chlamydia, among young people ages 15–19 reported in Washington. That same year, less than half (43%) of high schools in Washington taught comprehensive sex ed, according to a new report from the Sexuality and Education Information Council.
So I’m deeply disappointed to read that you, my representative and the voice for thousands of youth from Capitol Hill to Renton, are not trying to pass SHB 5395, a bill which would require schools to offer age-appropriate, medically-accurate, comprehensive, and inclusive sex education. Schools Superintendent Chris Reykdal asked for these changes, and sex ed has widespread support across Washington, where many parents assume their schools already offer it.
Young people deserve to have the information, resources, and skills we need to protect our health and build our future without the fear of judgment. Although 3 out of 5 voters support requiring sex education in our state, according to a poll by Planned Parenthood, a student only has a chance to receive this life-saving information if they live in the right zip code.
Sexual health is crucial. It doesn’t become less critical if you are experienced or not, what your beliefs are, or how you identify. Your body is yours, and you deserve to know what is going on with it.
We live in a complex world, but we also live in an incredibly beautiful and exciting world when we are able to better understand it. Students should be learning how to navigate it in a safe and inclusive environment.
By supporting sex ed in Washington state, we can create an encouraging and nurturing space for kids to learn, and spread accurate information even further. Please think of the young people of your district and stop standing in the way of comprehensive sex ed.
Thank you,
Claire Bramhall
Senior, Northwest High School