Typical republican hypocrisy. They talk of "freedom" from government, but they never have a problem legislating women's bodies and now they believe that banning teens from "gateway sexual activity" such as kissing and handholding, can prevent teen pregnancy. That's absurd. What prevents teen pregnancy is education -- not just sex education and certainly not abstinence education, but a general education in science and math and other subjects that help kids believe they have something more to offer the world. Sports and other activities help as well. If republicans really want to prevent teen sex, maybe they should engage teen boys. Try something new.
Anything considered a gateway to sexual activity for Tennessee students can now get school officials in legal trouble if they condone such behavior under a new bill, International Business Times reports.
The Gateway Sexual Activity bill, which was passed by the Tennessee House of Reps last Friday, allows parents to sue educators or other parties that encourage or allow “gateway” activities to occur. But an opponent of the bill, Democratic Rep. Mike Stewart, says gateway sexual activity is so vague, it could mean hugging, hand-hold or kissing. The legislation goes hand-in-hand with the state’s abstinence based sexual education, and its aim is to reduce teen pregnancy. Read more
