Critics blast Tennessee's 'no holding-hands bill'
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Tennessee recently enacted a pro-abstinence sex education law that is among the strictest in the nation. The law was spurred by a classroom demonstration involving a sex toy.
The most-debated section of the bill bars educators from promoting so-called "gateway sexual activity." But supporters seemed too squeamish during floor debate to specify what that meant, so critics soon labeled it the "no holding-hands bill."
One thing missing from the debate in the Legislature was a discussion of whether the law signed by Republican Gov. Bill Haslam last month really would help reduce Tennessee's high teenage pregnancy rate.
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Experts say it won't. They say it leaves teenagers inadequately educated about sexuality and prevention of pregnancy and disease.