PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Kimberly Blair, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Girls For Gender Equity (GGE)
2:12:20
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3 min
Kimberly Blair from Girls For Gender Equity (GGE) testified in support of Resolution 94-2024, which calls for the passage of Assembly Bill 4604 to mandate comprehensive sex education for K-12 students in New York State. She emphasized the importance of comprehensive sex education in reducing health risks, preventing misinformation, and promoting healthy relationships.
- GGE co-steers a statewide coalition advocating for comprehensive sex education.
- Blair highlighted concerning trends, including a decrease in contraception use among high school students and inconsistent implementation of sex education in NYC schools.
- She stressed the disproportionate impact on students in under-resourced schools and the need for clear statewide expectations and accountability.
Kimberly Blair
2:12:20
Good afternoon, chair Joseph and chair Lewis and, members of the committee and staff.
2:12:27
My name is Kimberly Blair.
2:12:28
I'm senior director of public policy and advocacy at Girls For Gender Equity or GGE.
2:12:34
We work intergenerationally through a black feminist lens to center the leadership of black girls and gender expansive youth of color in reshaping culture and policy.
2:12:46
We do this through advocacy, youth centered programming, as well as narrative shift to achieve gender and racial justice.
2:12:54
We are here today to offer our testimony and support of resolution 94 of, 2024, calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the governor to sign Assembly Bill 4604, a comprehensive sex ed bill, which would mandate comprehensive sex ed for all students grades k through 12.
2:13:16
For too long, New York State has failed to provide its students with equitable, evidence based sexuality education, leaving many vulnerable to preventable health risks and perpetuating cycles of misinformation and harm.
2:13:32
This legislation is an essential step towards ensuring all students receive the education they need to make informed decisions about their health, relationships, and futures.
2:13:44
GGE has been a leading advocate in this work for many years, co steering the statewide coalition to advance comprehensive sex ed in the legislature.
2:13:55
Comprehensive sex ed, beginning at a early age, can significantly reduce the rates of STIs, unplanned pregnancies, and dating violence.
2:14:04
It also equips young people with the tools to build healthy relationships, respect boundaries, and recognize abusive behavior.
2:14:12
Consequently, the absence of medically the absence of medically accurate and accessible information continues to contribute to the increasing amount of STIs, IPV or intimate partner violence, as well as sexual violence and other health disparities.
2:14:31
In the past decade, we've seen the percentage of sexually active high school students using contraception dropping 8% from 60% in 2013 to 52% recently in 2023.
2:14:45
Simultaneously, the percentage of students testing for STIs and using contraceptions trends downward.
2:14:55
It has generally dropped, and these are concerning trends that highlight that comprehensive sex ed in schools is necessary to support students making informed decisions and introducing them to a variety of safe sex practices.
2:15:10
Students in under resourced schools are disproportionately impacted by the lack of comprehensive sex ed.
2:15:17
Despite New York City's requirement for sex ed in grades 6 through 12, implementation remains implementation remains inconsistent.
2:15:28
Only 37.2 percent of 8th graders completing the 54 hour course in 2017 to 2018 school year.
2:15:37
We have a state law, as you know, that would create accountability and provide clear expectations for educators and school districts statewide, and this resolution seeks to push the state in that direction of action.
2:15:50
I will submit the rest as written.
2:15:52
Thank you so much.
2:15:53
And you're gonna hear from, Yilin next.
