Wauwatosa School District adopts ‘Sexual Decision Making’ curriculum; students role-play being queer, trans, gender confused and straight

As part of its newly adopted sexual education curriculum, Wauwatosa School District in Wisconsin asks students to act out “[a gay] couple that is making a decision about sex.” The Wauwatosa School Board approved the comprehensive sexual education curriculum, “Rights, Respect, Responsibility: Advocates for Youth” 6-1 in August. The lessons begin in kindergarten in which students learn names of body parts like vulva, penis and anus. Third graders learn about gender identity. 9th graders are required to role-play sexual decisions based on scenarios provided by the teacher.

Role-play scenarios inspire students to “practice making healthy decisions about sexual behavior,” according to the lesson plan. Teachers are to divide the class into five teams, instructing each group to “read and discuss their scenario and decide who will role-play the scenario. The other members will be coaches. The goal is to have the role-play worked out so the couple reaches a decision quickly. Groups will have ten minutes to prepare your role-play and then you’ll act it out for the class.”

One of the role-plays asks students to act out a relationship between a queer boy and another sexually confused boy. “You feel very attracted to Morgan. When you kissed him last week, it felt wonderful, but also confusing. You just can’t stop thinking about Morgan and imagining his touch. You think you want to have sex with him, but you don’t want your family or friends to find out, because they would disapprove.”

Another role-play depicts two girls who met at a party and “hooked up again this weekend.” “You feel open to all kinds of things with Diana, including commitment and sex. You plan to use protection if you and Diana decide to have sex.”

The final role-play scenario describes a relationship between a transgender girl and another girl, who are both “free thinkers who don’t like labels.” “Biologically you were assigned female at birth but you hate all of the boxes that society puts people in and identify as genderqueer. You work hard to have a gender-nonconforming appearance and style. You enjoy gender-bending and you feel like with Sydney you have finally met someone who really ‘gets you.'”

Children must act out each role-play and then answer questions about the scenario, such as, “What are the possible consequences for this couple if they follow through with their decision,” “Do you think they made a healthy decision? Why or why not,” and “Actors, how did it feel to play these roles?” The lesson targets students in grade 9.

The curriculum also notes that teachers should “determine for yourself how much and how often you can [use gender neutral names in scenarios and role-plays and refer to ‘someone with a vulva’ vs. a girl for woman].”

The district will implement the lessons during the 2022-23 school year. Opt-out forms are available for Wauwatosa parents — consult Parents Defending Education’s guidebook on Opting Out for more information.