Teachers in Tennessee could be banned from talking about KISSING as state outlaws discussion of 'gateway sexual activity'

• Teachers caught discussing 'gateway' sexual behaviour with students could be fined $500

By Kerry Mcqueeney

Published: 05:57 EST, 14 May 2012 | Updated: 05:58 EST, 14 May 2012

In motion: The bill has already been signed by Tennessee Governor BIll Haslam (pictured)

A controversial new bill could ban teachers from discussing 'gateway' sexual activity with teenagers as the state of Tennessee bids to promote abstinence among students.

The discussion of sexual activity like genital-touching, often promoted as an alternative to full intercourse, could be prohibited in high school sex education classes.

The bill has already been signed by Tennessee Governor BIll Haslam and any teachers caught discussing such behaviour could potentially be fined $500.

Activity like genital-touching has been deemed as an offending 'gateway' to full intercourse by legislators.

However, critics said the definition of gateway sexual behaviour was so vague that teachers may not even be able to discuss more innocent acts such as kissing or hand-holding.

According to the Nashville Tennesean, the move would require sex education classes to 'exclusively and emphatically promote a sexual risk avoidance through abstinence, regardless of a student's current of prior sexual experience'.

It would make teachings during Tennessee schools - which already takes a stance of promoting abstinence - even more restrictive.

Last month, the bill was passed by the House with 68 votes in favour of it and 23 against. And in an earlier vote in the Senate it received 29 votes in favour to one.

Too far? Critics say the definition of 'gateway' sexual behaviour was so vague, teachers may not be allowed to discuss more innocent acts such as kissing or hand-holding

The bill has been supported by the pro-marriage organisation Family Act Council of Tennessee, which described the move as a much-needed clarification of the consequences sex outside of marriage can have on society.

According to ABC News, state representative John DeBerry, D-Memphis, said in his testimony to the Tennessee House of Representatives: 'Everybody in this room knows what gateway sexual activity is.

'Everybody knows there are certain buttons when you push them, certain switches when you turn them on, there's no stopping, especially for undisciplined, untrained, untaught and unraised children who just want to feel affection from somebody or anybody.'

However, the Planned Parenthood Greater Memphis Region told ABC News: 'Tennessee students need more information about puberty, their own bodies and proven methods that prevent pregnancy and the spread of disease.

Outlawed: Teachers who discuss the gateway sexual activity could potentially be fined $500

'Denying them this prevention information in order to exclusively promote abstinence until marriage does our students a serious disservice.'

The debate over Tennessee's sexual gateway legislation has sparked controversy and ridicule, with television political pundit Steven Colbert mocking the bill on his show.

He said on The Colbert Report: 'Kissing and hugging are just the last stop before the train pulls into Groin Central Station.

'We desperately need to intervene earlier keep kids from engaging in ... all the things that lead to the things that lead to sex.'

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