Because we live in the 21st century, students of New York City's public schools are required by law to receive lessons about HIV and AIDS—they just can't learn about these basic biological functions and communicable diseases in a building owned by the Catholic Church. The Daily News reports that a long-standing agreement forbids sex ed from being taught in buildings leased by the City from the Church, so students have to get into a time machine and set the dial for 1600 A.D. walk to City-owned buildings to receive the lessons.
The City has rented space from the Church since 2005, and will pay more than $27 million in rent for 40 different public schools that use Church property. “We have dozens and dozens of sites with the diocese and archdiocese, and that’s predicated on being responsible and following the tenets of the church,” Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott says, adding that there have been no problems with the policy.
“It’s crazy," 15-year-old Tayshawn Edmonds said, referring to the 15 minute walk he must make from Williamsburg's El Puente Academy to another building in order to take sex ed. “The church owns the building, so they call the shots. But I don’t see why they get to control what we’re doing at our school.” At least it appears the unit on the separation of church and state is still permitted within the building.
