OSHKOSH, Wis. — In August of this year, the Oshkosh Area School Board voted six to one against banning six books.

Those books are: “Gender Queer,” “Fun Home,” “Milk and Honey,” “Anatomy of a Boyfriend,” “Anatomy of a Single Girl” and “Let’s Talk About It.”

They deal with subjects like sexual orientation and relationships.

“Let’s Talk About It” is now available at Oshkosh West High School’s library books shelf and that’s causing one parent to take action.

Oshkosh parent Joshua Vienola said he wants it removed because he said some images are too sexually graphic for students. He has four school-aged kids.

“When I saw the illustrations in the book, I thought it was absolutely disgusting and repulsive. I had thought that that was what was considered pornography,” Vienola said.  

Vienola said he was so completely taken aback that the Oshkosh School Board decided to allow this book in the district that he now homeschools his kids.  

“I don’t want them exposed to that. We don’t have those views on life or those kinds of morals,” Vienola said.  

Jennifer Considine said she supports the school board’s decision to keep the piece of literature on district bookshelves.   

“I think kids have a right to have access to information, and I think kids deserve to have books in the library that represent their experiences and that represent a diversity of experiences,” Considine said.  

She has two kids, a middle and a high schooler, in the Oshkosh School District. Considine said this book is more than just a sex book.  

“It’s about relationships and it’s about the human body,” Considine said.  

Dr. Samuel Coleman is the district’s assistant superintendent of instruction. Coleman said this book is also about human development, anatomy, reproduction, sexual identity and sexual development.  

While Coleman acknowledged there are images that may shock people, he said this book is not pornographic.  

“There are images of body parts, there are images of individuals engaging in intercourse. For something to be considered to be pornographic, the intent has to be that content has to be intended to sexually arouse an individual, and that’s not what this is, an educational book,” Coleman said.  

He said students have First Amendment rights, including access to this book. Coleman said it’s important to note this book is not required reading.  

“This book is not in any of our curriculum expectations. It’s in a library, and students can choose to read it if they want to and if they don’t want to, or if they find this material to be offensive or explicit, they can certainly choose not to check it out. Parents also have the right and the ability to tell their students not to access certain library materials,” Coleman said.

Vienola said subjects like sex and relationships should stay out of public schools.  

“Those are things that they should be discussing, maybe with their parents or other adults when they become adults,” Vienola said.  

This book could remain on shelves inside the Oshkosh School District for up to five years. During that time, district officials encourage continued dialogue about parental and community concerns.   

“Let’s Talk About It” has been at the center of controversy in school districts across America. In Wisconsin, a spokesperson for the Kenosha Unified School District said it was one of four books removed from shelves there.