GRAND ISLAND— Gov. Pete Ricketts found a receptive audience Thursday as he started a tour to rally opposition to proposed health education standards.

At the Ramada Midtown Conference Center, Ricketts repeated his opposition to a draft of the standards released in March by the State Department of Education. The standards, among other things, call for teaching children as young as 6 about gender identity and gender stereotypes as a part of sex education. Supporters argue that the draft standards will reduce bullying, prevent suicides and make schools more welcoming for all students.

Opponents, including the governor and at least 30 state senators, contend that the draft standards are inappropriate. Ricketts specifically opposes standards under “Human Growth & Development” that include teaching elementary and middle-school age children about anal and oral sex, gender identity and nontraditional family structures.

Multiple people at the town hall expressed concern about the age-appropriateness of the subject matter being proposed. There were an estimated 150 people at the meeting — the first of two held by the governor Thursday.

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