US: Arizona sued over 'No Promo Homo' school sex-ed curriculum

Two gay-rights organizations are suing Arizona over its so-called "No Promo Homo" law, which bans public district and charter school HIV/AIDS instruction that "promotes a homosexual lifestyle."

The National Center for Lesbian Rights and Lambda Legal filed the lawsuit Thursday in federal court on behalf of Equality Arizona, a nonprofit that advocates for LGBT residents. An unnamed student is also named as a plaintiff in the lawsuit. 

Arizona's law, enacted in 1991, bars K-12 public-school sexual-education instruction that:

  • "Promotes a homosexual lifestyle."

  • "Portrays homosexuality as a positive alternative lifestyle." 

  • "Suggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex." 

Kathy Hoffman, the state superintendent of public instruction, and each member of the State Board of Education are named as defendants in the complaint.

Hoffman had called for lawmakers to repeal the law in February. On Thursday, she released a statement on the lawsuit.

“Since the beginning of my career in teaching and politics, I have always been opposed to this anti-LGBTQ legislation and its harmful implications," she wrote. "This law prohibits educators from discussing topics related to LGBTQ relationships or portraying them in a positive light in our HIV/AIDS curriculum. 

"I welcome the opportunity this lawsuit brings to educate the public and bring visibility to the issues as we continue the march toward equality.” Read more via AZ Central