Open Letter to the GA Dept of Education re: Sex Ed

Georgia Department of Education 

205 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE 

Atlanta, GA 30334 

Dear Georgia Department of Education, 

I am writing to urge you to take immediate and meaningful steps toward implementing a comprehensive, LGBTQIA+ inclusive sexual education curriculum in schools across Georgia. 

As it stands, Georgia’s sex education standards fail to reflect the realities and needs of all students. By prioritizing abstinence-based and cis-heteronormative teachings, the current curriculum erases the identities and experiences of LGBTQIA+ youth. This not only reinforces stigma, but also places young people at greater risk by denying them access to affirming, fact-based information about their bodies, relationships, and sexual health. 

Queer and trans youth in Georgia are not hypothetical. They are our students, our peers and our family members — deserving of education that validates their identities and prioritizes their well-being. When sex ed fails to acknowledge them, it sends the message that they do not exist or do not matter. This contributes to higher rates of bullying, mental health struggles and unsafe sexual practices — all of which can be mitigated through inclusive education. 

We need a curriculum that teaches all students about consent, healthy relationships, diverse bodies and expansive expressions of gender and desire. We need a curriculum that is grounded in truth, equity and care. Most importantly, we need a curriculum that ensures every young person in Georgia feels seen, heard and supported. 

I urge the Georgia Department of Education to revise its sex education standards to reflect the diversity of Georgia’s youth. The safety, health and futures of our students depend on it. 

Sincerely, 

Yasmeen Akbar