A Minneapolis teacher is under fire for bringing a group of middle and high school aged students to a sex store as part of their sex education. The school is the Gaia Democratic School, an alternative private school, where the teacher who organized the trip, Starry Hedges, is also a director.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. One of the Children Was Only 11 Years Old
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that the children brought to the store were both high-school and middle-school students with one being as young as 11. Hedges told the Tribune:
What I saw happening on our trip, I thought it was beautiful because kids could talk to these sex educators without any shame, without any fear.
According to the school’s website, there are only 25 students in the school. Hedges has admitted that following the backlash against this trip, there won’t be another one to Smitten Kitten.
2. A Parent Called It a ‘Major Breach of Trust’
A photo from the Gaia Democratic School Facebook page.
One of the parents, Lynn Floyd, whose two daughters were on the trip said “It’s a major breach of trust. You just can’t erase those images.” Speaking to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Floyd said he pulled his kids from the school after learning about the trip. Hedges admitted to the Tribune that she hadn’t communicated very well with parents about the trip. Though with regards to the ages of the students, she said “The sexual health aspect, there is no right age for all kids. You can’t say, ‘All kids should know this at this age.’ There are students that are already going through puberty at 10 or 11.”
3. Smitten Kitten Is a Progressive Adult Store
(Facebook)
According to Smitten Kitten’s website, it’s “a warm and welcoming sex toy store for everyday people. Everyone is welcome!” The shop specializes in “sexual health and wellness.” The staff also have seminars on sexual behavior. The children who visited the store were forbidden from looking at pornography but could see sex toys and other inventory. A lecture was given to the kids in the library section of Smitten Kitten. Some students bought condoms, reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The store gives three core principals on their website saying:
1. Everyone is welcome
2. Respect yourself and others
3. Don’t “Yuk” my “Yum”
4. Hedges Said Her Work ‘Saved Me From Killing Myself’
On her Facebook page, Hedges remarked that he work in teaching “saved me from killing myself.” She has written extensively about alternative education.
5. Only 22 States Require That Sex Education Be Taught in Schools
(Wikipedia)
Only 22 states require schools teach sexual education to students, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Their site adds that three states “require parental consent before a child can receive instruction.” While 35 states and the District of Columbia “allow parents to opt-out on behalf of their children.” Minnesota State Law says on sex education “Districts must have a program that has technically accurate information and curriculum.” The Gaia Democratic School is private so the Minnesota Department of Education has not authority.
