Tennessee’s House of Representatives Friday passed the controversial “Gateway Sexual Activity Bill” by a vote of 68-23, sending it to Gov. Bill Haslam for signing…. Famously ridiculed by Stephen Colbert last month, the bill bans teachers and “outside groups” from “promoting or condoning” what it calls “gateway sexual activity,” which opponents say is far too open to interpretation, and could mean anything from a peck on the cheek to a warm embrace to the casual joining of two hands. The bill puts the onus on teachers and schools to curb these vague “activities,” or risk lawsuits from parents. Additionally, sex ed classes are required to “exclusively and emphatically” promote abstinence.
Sometimes, the jokes write themselves. How else could you explain what Tennessee is up to these days? There’s “Don’t Say Gay” (it’s finally died a merciful and justifiable death), which seems designed to require that teachers and schools ignore the reality that some students might possibly be (GASP!! OMIGOD!!!) gay. Now there’s a bill that will prevent…well, I’m not really sure what it’s designed to prevent, except for teaching anything that might actually give kids the tools to help them effectively deal with their burgeoning sexuality.
And just what does the “Gateway Sexual Activity Bill” define as “gateway sexual activity?” Well, it’s a bit on the vague side, but the Tennessee legislature evidently trusts good, God-fearing, Conservative Christian patriots to recognize “gateway sexual activity” when they see it.
Uh…Gov. Haslam? Yeah, the American Taliban is holding for you on line two….
The only thing this law seems to prove is that Tennessee is terrified of sexuality- and that they’re not above passing that fear along to the children of Tennessee. After all, if children are exposed to factual information, they might make sound, informed decisions about sex and sexuality, instead of operating out of the same fear, ignorance, and misinformation that seems to drive adults in Tennessee. It seems there’s a wing of the GOP that won’t rest until sex is engaged in strictly for reproductive purposes and ONLY in the missionary position without passion or enjoyment…sort of like, oh I don’t know…The Handmaid’s Tale??
Perhaps they didn’t get the memo that said sex is only dirty if you’re doing it right….
