The Michigan Board of Education has decided to include lessons on gender identity in the curriculum for middle school students, a move that has sparked controversy among parents who believe the content is overly progressive.

In a meeting held on Thursday, the board voted 6-2 to revise its Health Education Standards Guidelines. The new guidelines suggest that by the end of eighth grade, students should be able to define concepts such as gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

The updated curriculum will also educate students on the notion that romantic, emotional, and sexual attractions can occur irrespective of gender and that these attractions may evolve over time.

Part of the learning will involve distinguishing between biological sex, gender identity, and gender expression. Additionally, students will be taught to recognize symptoms associated with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

While sex education will start as early as third grade, younger students will primarily focus on topics like reproductive health, including menstruation, personal hygiene, and an introduction to STDs.

Advocates for the updated guidelines argue that these changes will provide valuable support for students identifying as LGBT+, helping them to better understand themselves and their identities.

‘Nobody’s teaching your kids gender identity. They already know. They’re just too scared to tell you about it. The bottom line is, you don’t have to believe in it. You don’t have to accept it, but it exists,’ Stella Shananaquet told the board during the public comment meeting, according to Bridge Michigan. 

More than 100 people signed up to speak, causing the board to limit each person to one minute, versus the usually three minutes. 

By eighth grade, the Michigan Board of Education recommends students be able to define gender identity and expression and sexual orientation (pictured: stock image) 

Students will also learn about STDs and be able to properly define biological sex, gender identity and gender expression

The decision was handed down after nearly three hours of public comment. 

Those who opposed it asked why there was such a ‘hurry’ to change the educational standards. 

Eileen McNeil, the president of Citizens for Traditional Values, said: ‘Why now? Why today? Why this? If you really want to address health and the sex ed, let’s take time.’

Sheila Cahoon, a Macomb County resident, added: ‘We need to keep the gender ideology religion at home and let the parents teach that.’

John Grossenbacher, a candidate for state House and who has a child in the school system, lamented that only parents’ feelings should factor into the decision. 

He organized a petition urging the board to reject the proposal. It has 1,600 signatures. 

Parents online feared it would be a secret ideology push from liberals. 

‘I’m sorry, but I’m gonna call out the elephant in the room. The only reason why this is an issue for the Democratic Party is because putting this into the other forum gives them more funding to project their ideology onto the children when the children aren’t there for that,’ Mary A. Combs wrote on Facebook. 

Nikki Snyder, a board member, questioned whether MDE could even make the changes as backlash came back 

Tom McMillin, a board member, criticized the state for not penalizing schools who don’t properly distribute opt-out forms to parents. Parents can opt-out with penalty in the state  

‘They’re there to teach them how to read and write and be able to function within society. But our education system has some of our children confused on whether they are a cat or a dog, much less what type of sex they are.’ 

Nikki Snyder, a board member, questioned whether MDE could even make the changes. 

Tom McMillin, a board member, criticized the state law as it doesn’t penalize schools that don’t properly distribute opt-out forms to parents. 

Michigan law does allow parents to opt their students out of sexual education without penalty. The only thing they would be required to learn is about HIV/AIDs, but outside of that, schools and districts have freedom to decide what is taught.  

However, if a school does opt to teach sex education, they have to have an advisory board that is made up of students and parents. 

Teachers are also prohibited from discussing certain topics, such as abortion as family planning, with students. 

More than 1,300 surveys were completed during the public opinion time, with 924 opposing the changes, MDE said. 

Some of the reasons included concerns about sexual education and gender topics. 

Eileen McNeil, the president of Citizens for Traditional Values, wondered why there was a rush for change on a sensitive topic 

John Grossenbacher, a candidate for state House, lamented that only parents’ feelings should factor into the decision. He also started a petition to stop the proposal change 

However, emailed statements from community members were more positive toward the change, with 1,141 out of more than 2,000 emails supporting it, MDE said. 

The reasons parents supported it were inclusivity and a need for an update.  

The Daily Mail has contacted the Michigan DOE for comment.