20 Indiana State Senators forced Bureau of Motor Vehicles to terminate Indiana Youth Group specialty plates after legislative effort failed, preempting planned summer study of GLBT youth organization.
Parents are the primary educators of their children. Parents are entitled to their own beliefs about sexuality and to allow their children to participate in sexuality education programs consistent with their values. Knowledge about human sexuality is helpful, not harmful. Sexuality in our society is damaged by violence, exploitation, alienation, dishonesty, abuse of power, and the treatment of persons as objects. It is unethical to withhold life-saving and unwanted life preventing information from people who need it. It is natural for human beings to express their sexuality in a variety of ways. Being romantically and sexually attracted to either gender or both is natural in the range of human experience. It is healthier for adolescents to postpone sexual intercourse. Sexuality includes much more than sexual behavior. Teens have the right to have full and accurate information about sexuality, and they must have access to information before they need it. Teens have the right and responsibility to express their sexuality in ways that are healthy and life-affirming. Every person is entitled to dignity and self-worth and to be treated with respect. Healthy relationships are consensual, equal in terms of power, mutually pleasurable, safe (no or low risk of unintended pregnancy, STIs or emotional pain). based on mutual expectations of caring, and respectful (including honesty and keeping commitments made to others). People of all ages, genders, races, backgrounds, income levels, physical and mental abilities, and sexual orientations must have equal value and rights. We are all created by a loving God.
First Congregational UCC Indianapolis is an Open and Affirming Congregation.
