Wisconsin D.A. needs to get schooled on new sex-education laws

BONNIE-BROWN // FLICKR

This past February, the greatest state in the nation, Wisconsin (my home state, obviously) passed into law The Health Youth Act, mandating that public school students receive comprehensive sex-ed that is medically accurate and age appropriate. The class must include science-based methods proven to work at reducing sexually-transmitted infections and unintended teen pregnancies, including an introduction to a variety of contraceptives.

For the record, my opinion is that THIS IS AWESOME and I love my state. (**begins singing Wisconsin fight song**)

However, District Attorney for Juneau County, Scott Southworth and Pro-Life Wisconsin don’t see it the way I do. Apparently, teaching students how to utilize contraceptives through this program is “akin to teaching children about alcohol use, then instructing them on how to make mixed alcohol drinks” and it must be stopped.

Right…it’s exactly the same…

And he doesn’t stop there. Southworth has also stated that “[comprehensive sex education] promotes the sexualization – and sexual assault – of our children.”

The most infuriating part about this guy, however, is that he goes beyond making harmless, but idiotic, comments. Southworth has actually started making threats against any teacher who plans to teach the new mandated program; has vowed to pursue criminal charges against teachers who teach comprehensive sex ed for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Translation: Southworth has vowed to pursue criminal charges against teachers who follow the law for a crime that he has made up. (Yeah, contributing to the delinquency of a minor? Not an actual crime)

During this whole process, Southworth must have forgotten that his role as District Attorney is to enforce the law, not make it up. Good news is that Governor Jim Doyle has his head on straight.

Governor Doyle said “It’s really an unusual argument to make, ‘Follow the law and I’ll prosecute you’… no matter what the views of one particular district attorney are,” those who follow the law need not fear prosecution.