This week Senator Tiara Mack (Democrat, District 6, Providence, RI Rank #2) was, and continues to be, targeted with outrageous bigotry in response to her comprehensive sexual education bill S2285, introduced to the Rhode Island Senate on April 27, 2022. The proposed bill would provide students in grades 6 through 12 with access to necessary sexual education programs that are appropriate for students of all races, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, gender identities and expressions, and sexual orientations. These programs would provide the vital knowledge students need so they may build and maintain safer relationships and decrease instances of sexual violence.

Senator Mack has been the target of several online attacks in response to this bill’s introduction. With some falsely accusing the Senator of being a groomer, a pedophile, and using the n-word in a hate-driven effort to justify their grievances and intimidate an elected official.

Throughout history the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities have suffered from these types of attacks and have often times remained silent. Racial and homophobic slurs will not be tolerated nor will we fail to respond when they occur. Attacks such as these have only strengthened our resolve to fight harder for equal representation.

We unequivocally condemn these attacks and stand in support of Senator Mack as well as her efforts to pass bill S2285 for safer and more equitable sexual education in our schools.