FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Organizations and Community Leaders Stand in Support of New Jersey’s Sex Education Standards

TRENTON, NJ – Today, more than 30 organizations and community leaders announced their support for New Jersey’s sex education standards. The Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education support student safety with medically accurate, age-appropriate information.

“We can all agree that every student in New Jersey deserves to receive an education in a safe environment, free from discrimination, harassment and abuse,” said Kaitlyn Wojtowicz, Vice President of Public Affairs with Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, a Thrive NJ coalition partner. “Fear and lies are spreading, and we need to stick to the facts about what age- and developmentally- appropriate sex education is, and is not.”

“Young people need to have the information, resources and skills they need to protect their health and build their future — without shame or judgment,” said Debra Hauser, President of Advocates for Youth, a Thrive NJ coalition partner. “New Jersey students deserve the best. We need to maintain sex education standards in New Jersey to ensure that every student in the state has access to the  high-quality resources and information they need to make healthy decisions, no matter their teacher, school, or district.”

“Just like other subjects, sex education should begin early with foundational and age-appropriate material, like names of body parts, friendship, and boundaries, that builds over time,” said Dan Rice, Executive Director of Answer and a Thrive NJ Sex Ed Subcommittee Co-Chair. “New Jersey’s sex education standards ensure all our state’s young people, including those with LGBTQ idenities, receive the knowledge and skills that are foundational to supporting their health and safety.”

The sign on letter can be viewed at https://www.sexednj.org/.

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Thrive New Jersey is a diverse coalition of organizations reflecting a wide scope of New Jersey populations and issues, and include medical providers, legal experts, policy experts, faith-based organizations, immigrant rights groups and other community-based organizations from around the state. Together, we work to promote sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice through policy change and advocacy. Learn more at www.thrive-nj.com.