This bill would repeal a state law that currently prohibits schools and educators from providing medically-accurate HIV/AIDS prevention education to gay and lesbian students.

Section 15-716 of the Arizona Revised Statutes encourages schools to provide medically-accurate HIV/AIDS education, except that in doing so, schools cannot promote a homosexual life‑style, portray homosexuality as a positive alternative life‑style, or suggest that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex.  This bill would remove this discriminatory language from the statute.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

There is an existing statute that threatens the health and safety of all Arizonans.

According to ARS 15-716, schools are encouraged to provide medically-accurate HIV/AIDS prevention education. However, under that same statute, schools cannot provide HIV/AIDS prevention education to gay and lesbian students, denying an at-risk population access to potentially life-saving information.

SB 1342 and HB 2708 offers a solution. These bills seek to grant all students equal access to education about how to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. As your constituent, I urge you to promote healthy families and support SB 1342 and HB 2708.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
February 17, 2008