An effort to pave the way to changes to the state's sex education guidelines fell flat during an intense Arizona State Board of Education meeting, where the board spent hours listening to parents, lawmakers and advocates rail against what several said was the "sexualization" of children.

Some of those who attended the jam-packed meeting expressed concern over porn's influence on children.

Others wanted sexual education to leave out instruction on anal sex, oral sex and homosexuality.

Many said that the birds and the bees should be left to parents to teach.

The crowd was so large as the Arizona State Board of Education weighed changes to rules governing sexual education in schools, officials had to open three overflow rooms, where dozens clustered to watch the meeting on a livestream and wait to speak.

The rule changes up for public debate were proposed after a lawsuit over a decades-old state law forbidding sexual education in public schools that promotes a "homosexual lifestyle" compelled Arizona legislators to repeal that law in April.

The State Board resolved the lawsuit by changing a portion of the sex ed rules in May, but this proposal, which Hoffman asked the board to consider, would have made several more changes developed by Sen. Martin Quezada, D-Glendale, and a group of stakeholders.

Ultimately, board members decided not to take action and let existing rules stand.

Schools Superintendent Kathy Hoffman addressed the crowd after three hours of emotion-laden comments from members of the public.

"I know that this topic is very sensitive and and it really brings up a lot of emotion," she said. "We're talking about our children In Arizona, and I don't see this as a purple issue, or a red issue or a Democrat issue or a Republican issue. This is about our students and our public schools."

What were they debating?

The proposed changes were developed with a group of stakeholders including LGBT groups such as GLSEN, teachers, school board members and other individuals, Quezada wrote in a text message.

Quezada wrote in a letter to Hoffman that while he believed the changes to the rules in response to the lawsuit were positive, "We can and should go further." So, he wrote, he convened stakeholders to recommend more changes.

The proposed changes to the sex education rules would have:

Removed language that states sex education "shall not include the teaching of abnormal, deviate, or unusual sexual acts and practices."

Added language that states sex education should "be medically and scientifically accurate."

Added language that instruction over sexually transmitted infections should include medically accurate instruction on how to prevent infection transmission.

Allowed schools to teach sex education to boys and girls together, instead of separately. The rule change would make teaching the two genders separately an option for schools.

The packed June 24 meeting drew dozens of public comments from state lawmakers, parents and advocates from conservative organizations.

The vast majority of those who spoke were vehemently opposed to the proposal to open what are called rulemaking procedures, which would trigger the process to change the sex ed rules.

The board would have still needed to hold a public hearing and then close rulemaking to conclude this process, had they opened rulemaking during the meeting. After the meeting, Hoffman said she still would like to consider rule changes, potentially involving state lawmakers.

"I think there is a lot of interest and working on sex education topics," she said. "But I think we will have more stakeholder engagement, parent involvement, and then collectively work across many agencies."

Fierce opposition

Many in the audience donned purple clothing signifying Purple for Parents, the group created by parent Forest Moriarty in response to #RedForEd. Rep. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, wore a purple blazer and expressed dismay that Quezada sent board members the recommended rule changes.

"Instead of creating more Planned Parenthood customers, let's put our energy into improving the reading ability of our children," Townsend said.

Many parents expressed worry that their children would be subject to certain sex education programs with the rule changes, accusing the board of allowing Planned Parenthood instruction in schools.

One woman held up a book, "It's Perfectly Normal" by Robie Harris and Michael Emberley, railing against drawings of nude people in the book, intended to educate children about puberty and sexual health. The book was not being considered as a part of the rule changes.

Supporters, who were outnumbered, spoke as well. One, a social scientist, said the changes would "enhance the safety and health" of Arizona students. She said giving schools the option to mix girls and boys could be beneficial, teaching them how to be respectful in relationships.

Conflicts over curriculum rules

Sex education is optional in Arizona — parents may opt their children in or out of the lessons. Districts and charter schools set sex education curricula.

The board does not create a sex ed curriculum; the members just govern the rules about what the curriculum should and should not include.

Cave Creek Unified School District drew attention when its administrators attempted to revamp a 17-year-old sex education curriculum in May, accused of a "Planned Parenthood" invasion. Administrators said Planned Parenthood was not involved.

During Monday's State Board meeting, Veronica Corcoran, a parent wearing purple, said she was uncomfortable with some of the lessons about sex taught in classrooms.

"Lovemaking is not meant to be treated as a 'how-to' guide," she said. "Sexuality really belongs behind closed doors."

Reach the reporter at Lily.Altavena@ArizonaRepublic.com or follow her on Twitter @LilyAlta.

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