The Coordinated Attack Against Comprehensive Sex Education in the U.S.

Comprehensive sex education can help young people navigate relationships, traverse sexual and reproductive decision-making, and learn more about their own minds and bodies. Yet, sex education often varies in the U.S. from state-to-state, school district-to-school district, and teacher-to-teacher. Callie Simon, Executive Director of SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change, sits down to talk with us about the importance of achieving comprehensive sex education and the coordinated opposition of the anti-rights minority. Comprehensive sex education, which includes not only discussion of sex, but of anatomy, consent, sexual orientation and gender identity, healthy relationships, violence prevention, media literacy, contraception, and more, is delivered in age-appropriate ways. Yet, last year, SIECUS found over 1,000 pieces of legislation at the national and state level impacting young people’s access to healthcare and education. There was a 20% increase in aggressive legislation against sex education as compared to 2024. 18 bills were ultimately passed into law in 2025, which were aimed at restricting comprehensive, medically accurate sex education and information. For example, Baby Olivia bills require AI-generated, anti-abortion videos be shown to children starting in third grade. For more information, check out When Science Finds a Way: https://wellcome.org/insights/podcastSupport the showFollow Us on Social: Twitter: @rePROsFightBack Instagram: @reprosfbFacebook: rePROs Fight Back Bluesky: @reprosfightback.bsky.socialBuy rePROs Merch: Bonfire store Email us: [email protected] and Review on Apple PodcastThanks for listening & keep fighting back!