A transsexual is “a person who has had a medical sex change, male to female or female to male.” A transvestite is “a person who dresses in the clothes of the opposite gender for sexual pleasure (may be of any sexual orientation.)”
This language, found in the guidance given to sex education teachers in Alexandria high school — as well as language about homosexuality and abortion — has a liberal bias and should be excluded from the classroom, according to Kenneth Wolfe. Wolfe is a 10-year member of the Family Life Advisory Committee, the panel charged with reviewing Alexandria’s sex education curriculum.
Wolfe is a political conservative who said other panel members supported the guidance. He argued the definitions and other content in the sexual orientation section, as well as the inclusion of language in the abortion section from pro-choice organization Planned Parenthood, is inappropriate.
He said the language should focus on Virginia law, which forbids sodomy and requires parental notification for abortions for minors.
Sex education is a graduation requirement in Alexandria high schools, although parents can opt their children out of the program.
Wolfe said this is the first year during his tenure on the committee the sexual orientation and abortion sections had been included in this form.
The guidance — which is still under review by the committee — is already posted as the 2006 Family Life Education Curriculum guide on a public page of the Alexandria schools Web site.
Margaret Walsh, executive director of secondary programs for Alexandria, said the material did not have to be approved by the panel to be used in schools. Only a curriculum specialist needs to approve the guidance. The panel “is doing exactly what they’re suppose to do,” she said, “provide advice on what they think or don’t think of the course.”
Walsh admitted some of the language in the abortion section was taken from Planned Parenthood, but said teachers are not required to use the exact language in their classrooms. Instead, it provides guidance to teachers on the types of things that should be taught in classes.
