">A South Florida senator wants Florida public schools to ditch the
wait-until-marriage message that's long been the basis of many sex-education
classes.

Instead, state Sen. Ted Deutch, D- Delray Beach, has filed
legislation that would require schools to teach kids about condoms and other
contraceptive methods starting in the sixth grade.

Meanwhile, two other
lawmakers have introduced bills meant to discourage teachers from touting the
benefits of sex within a monogamous, heterosexual marriage.

Right now,
state law encourages that. But state Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, who penned the
Senate version of the bill, called it "offensive language."

"I believe
that should be taught at home and in religious institutions," said the
38-year-old father of four. "Certainly, monogamous, heterosexual marriage is a
moral discussion."

The proposals have drawn sharp criticism from
politically conservative groups, which have long argued that teaching kids about
birth control could encourage teen sex. They said parents would not tolerate
discussions about sex without also talking about marriage.

"I think it
would offend most people, and it would go against the sensibilities of the
average person," said Mathew Staver, chairman of the Orlando-based Liberty
Counsel, which has filed lawsuits nationwide challenging gay
rights.


'This is not the end'

Many states have dumped their
abstinence-only programs in recent years, partly because of a growing body of
research that shows they do not work.

People on both sides of the issue,
however, say the Florida bills do not have much of a chance during this spring's
legislative session, given their controversial nature and lawmakers' focus on
the state's financial woes.

Lance deHaven-Smith, a political-science
professor at Florida State University in Tallahassee, said the issues warrant
discussion. But the bills likely will have to wait until next year or later for
serious consideration.

"Legislation is not a one-shot process -- it's
something that often takes years to develop a consensus on, particularly on a
significant change in direction," he said. "This is not the end. It's really
probably the beginning of a long-term process of rethinking these
issues."


Pregnancies, STDs rise

Deutch introduced his bill --
the Florida Healthy Teens Act -- last year, but it didn't survive the
legislative session. He could not be reached for comment, but an official from
Planned Parenthood, a key supporter of the measure, said he had to try
again.

Changes are sorely needed in a state in which the rates for some
sexually transmitted diseases keep climbing and teen pregnancies are up after
years of decline, said Adrienne Kimmell, executive director of the Florida
Association of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.

A duplicate of Deutch's
bill was introduced Jan. 8 in the House of Representatives by state Rep. Keith
Fitzgerald, D-Sarasota.

Kimmell said that in addition to requiring a more
comprehensive program, Deutch's proposal would help standardize sex education in
Florida. Today, the state suggests abstinence be taught as the expected
standard, but schools build their own programs, which means some students get
lots of information and some get none.

"We don't really know what's
happening in schools," she said. "We don't know if sex education is an assembly
once a year or a longer class that students take once a week for a semester. It
really varies so much."

Planned Parenthood helps coordinate sex education
in Orange County schools, so they already have the kind of program Deutch wants
for the whole state, said an official with Planned Parenthood of Greater
Orlando.

In Orange, educators stress that abstinence is the only way to
prevent pregnancy and STDs. But they also offer information to help sexually
active students protect themselves.

Brevard County schools began teaching
kids about birth control about a year ago. In Volusia County, officials may
expand their abstinence-only program. The issue will go before the Volusia
School Board next month.


Parents react

Parents in Seminole and
Lake counties, which offer abstinence-only programs, have mixed
feelings.

Judy Wiant, president of the Seminole County Council of PTAs,
said families would want to know exactly what would be taught.

"If
they're going to be telling them something I wouldn't tell my kid, I'd have a
problem," she said.

On the other hand, Lake County School Board member
Cindy Barrow said in her school district, "we are burying our heads in the
sand."

"My son is in 4th grade and learns everything he knows from the
kids who learn it from others," she wrote via e-mail. "I am constantly trying to
explain how things really are but it's much after the fact and I find that
sad."


Denise-Marie Balona can be reached at
dbalona@orlandosentinel.com or 352-742-5928.