(The Lion) — Despite opposition from parents and clergy, the Michigan State Board of Education on Thursday approved new health-education guidelines that mandate discussions of sexual orientation, gender identity and sex acts with children as young as 11.

The Michigan Health Education Standards Guidelines had not been updated since 2007, according to a press release from Michigan’s Department of Education, making them “long overdue,” said Dr. Tonya Whitehead, president of the Michigan Parent Teacher Association.

Current Michigan law requires students to complete health education classes for graduation. For sexual education, schools must offer HIV/AIDS instruction but can determine their own policies regarding other content. Schools that offer sex education must form a sex education advisory board, and schools cannot distribute condoms on campus or discuss abortion as “family planning,” AP News reports.

After a September meeting, the guidelines were also updated to clarify parents’ rights to opt out of the instruction on behalf of their children.

“The standards provide guidance to local school districts and, as in previous versions, local control remains in place and parents retain the right to decide whether their children should participate in sex education instruction,” Michigan’s Department of Education states in its press release.

However, many parents still opposed the guidelines that discuss gender identity, expression and sexual orientation with 6th to 8th grade students.

“Explain that romantic, emotional, and/or sexual attractions can be toward an individual of the same and/or different gender(s), and that attractions can change over time,” the standards now state. “Discuss signs, symptoms, and potential effects of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.”

Additionally, the guidelines define consent, claim that “sexual health values … may change with age, maturity, knowledge,” and present “ways to avoid negative or potentially harmful consequences” of sexual activity.

More than 100 people attended the public comment portion of the board meeting, causing the board to reduce comments to a minute per person, instead of the usual three minutes, according to AP.

Catherine Bussard, a mom testifying against the changes, argued the board conflated the definition of health and sex education.

“Health and sex education are two different things; I would remind this body, we’re not voting on sex ed today,” Bussard said. “We’re voting on health and those are statutorily different under Michigan law.”

Josh Grossenbacher, who is running for state representative for Michigan’s House, presented a petition against the guidelines with more than 1,000 parental signatures gathered in 10 days. He stressed the significance of parental autonomy and said the state should have nothing to do with the private decision of sexual education.

“What you guys think about teaching my kid transgender, that’s not your right,” Grossenbacher said. “The only thing that matters is the parents, and resoundingly, they are against this.”

Andrey Soukhojak, a professional scientist, countered the parental argument, claiming science trumps parents’ decisions.

“Schools are supposed to empower all students. Knowledge is power. The most reliable source of knowledge is science,” Soukhojak said. “So, I’m sorry, parents do not know best. Scientists know the best. Experts know the best.”

Another commentator, Rachel Hayes, claimed students will not learn unless they “feel safe,” making “inclusion the cornerstone of academic success.”

“By adopting these standards, you’re choosing education over fear, truth over distortion, and compassion over cruelty,” she claimed.

Three pastors also spoke, representing 50 pastors statewide and their respective congregations.

Pastor Michael Dennis Smith cited Michigan’s Constitution, which upholds the necessity of religious and moral knowledge for “the happiness of mankind,” and encourages schools to affirm “the vital role of moral instruction rooted in faith and family.”

Pastor Danny Soria testified on the meaning of truth and the private responsibility and decision of parents to teach their children regarding sexuality.

“This responsibility is solely on the parents. You have no right to decide by the parents. You don’t live in their homes. You have no knowledge about the emotional maturity and the mental maturity of every child in this country,” Soria said. “You should make decisions by the rule of law and what is common sense, because when the science is corrupted, all the results are going to be corrupted.”

Parents, educators, doctors and pastors testified for more than two and a half hours before the board voted 6-2 to approve the guidelines.