Children's Books discussion
Banned Books: discussions, lists
>
Discussion of censorship, equity, and other concerns.
Virginia AG sides with religious parents in federal appeal over LGBTQ books in schoolshttps://www.wvtf.org/news/2023-12-05/...
Maryland’s Montgomery County school system was sued by religious families, and their fight came to Richmond’s Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Tuesday morning where Virginia, via Attorney General Jason Miyares, also got involved.
Tamer Mahmoud is the lead parent on the dispute which seeks to create an opt out program in the county’s English Language Arts program that would keep books showing LGBTQ families from their children’s view.
“Your honors, there’s a long-standing national consensus that elementary aged students should not be exposed to instruction on sexuality and gender without the permission of their parents,” said Becket Fund for Religious Liberty attorney Eric Baxter, who represented the parents.
Baxter’s claim was backed up by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares in an amicus brief submitted in September. In that filing his office, along with 16 other states, argued if a school plans to include any books featuring LGBTQ content parents should be notified and given the chance to opt out.
“The school board’s policy requires children to participate in sex education even where they or their families object on religious grounds,” Virginia solicitor general Andrew Furgeson wrote. “By refusing notice and opt outs, the school board is infringing on the parents’ and children’s rights.”
The lack of an opt out option was key to the dispute and the basis of the appeal before the court. Montgomery County had approved the curriculum, adding LGBTQ inclusive books for English programs from kindergarten through fifth grade, and they, at first, had an opt out program. But the number of parents who used the opt-out system created attendance issues which the county argued disrupted the learning environment.
WilmerHale attorney Alan Schoenfeld, who represented the school system, argued concerns about a child being exposed to LGBTQ content were not enough to force the county to create such an opt out.
“Exposure to the existence of LGBT people and LGBT families through these texts is not a constitutionally cognizable burden,” Schoenfeld said. “Part of the compromise of sending your children to public schools is that they may be exposed to material you find offensive or contradictory to your religious beliefs.”
But Circuit Judge Steven Agee, a George W. Bush appointee, pointed to language from the record which suggested the material was added to “disrupt” children’s thinking.
“Is a parent to have no recourse, other than withdrawing their child from school, if that’s the position of the state?” the judge asked.
But Agee homed in on the age of students being shown the content in one tense exchange with attorney Schoenfeld.
“They're three and four years old, and courts have said repeatedly that’s a significant factor because they are very influenceable,” the judge said.
“Absolutely,” Schoenfeld replied. “But there are three- and four-year-olds in Montgomery County schools who have gay parents. And prior to the introduction of these texts, they didn’t see their parents.”
Miyares declined the chance to offer additional comment to Radio IQ, but his brief stressed concerns about constitutional issues the lack of an opt out policy creates.
“Although States can set curricula in public schools, States also recognize that parents—not governments—typically have the right to direct the education of children and often allow parents to exclude their children from sexual health instruction for any grounds (or no grounds) whatsoever,” the brief says.
But the link curriculum has to school boards and officials elected to make those decisions could also come to play in this dispute. And another member of Tuesday’s panel, Donald Trump appointee Circuit Judge Marvin Quattlebaum, already ruled on that matter in another case against Montgomery County’s school system earlier this year.
n that dispute parents challenged an LGBTQ-inclusive policy for students, and while the religious parents there argued it too violated their religious beliefs, Quattlebaum said the courts weren’t the right venue for such complaints.
“Policy disagreements should be addressed to elected policymakers at the ballot box, not to unelected judges in the courthouse."
Now the better news. I am LOLing and high-fiving this woman! A GOOD Karen!While most of the newly sworn in members to the Central Bucks school board chose to swear their oaths on a bible, incumbent Karen Smith brought a stack of books to Monday's meeting.
https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/new...
Smith stood out at the Dec. 4 reorganization meeting as she took her oath of office with her hand placed on top of six frequently banned and challenged books. Smith, who would be named president of the board, and the other Democrats on the board have long cried foul as the former GOP-majority forged ahead with controversial library policy that critics said was a defacto book ban.
Night
“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented,” said Wiesel.
A Central Bucks 9th grader sent the quote to the librarian. The librarian included the quote along with a copy of Night in a library display; however, this was shortly after the former school board passed a “neutrality” policy that barred classroom displays advocating politics or social policy unless related to a lesson.
School officials ordered the librarian to remove the display, though that order was rescinded the next day and the posters allowed. The incident went viral on social media generating a flood of criticism for the district, which later apologized and said it regretted the decision to remove the posters.
That neutrality policy, Policy 321, was one of four policies placed on a freeze by the new board when they took office on Monday.
The Bluest Eye
Morrison’s book was among the first targeted by a group called Woke PA, formerly Woke At Bucks County, late in 2021. The local group targeting “s--ually explicit” books were an early driving force behind the former board’s decision to revamp its library policy in 2022.
As one of the books that a group of residents read excerpts from at a March meeting two years ago, Smith said “The Bluest Eye” has stood out to her as a classic work that should be read and not challenged.
Smith brought along three other titles she was prompted to read when they first appeared on the Woke PA list.
Lily and Dunkin
“I read all the way through the book and there's nothing. There's not even a kiss,” Smith said.
The only reason Smith could figure for the “s--ual content” warning was the fact that one of its main characters was transgender.
“Just the existence of a transgender student in the book was enough for some folks who want to challenge it, and it's a beautiful story,” Smith added.
All Boys Aren't Blue “I thought the author is very courageous about what he chooses to reveal,” Smith said.
Beyond Magenta: Transgender and Nonbinary Teens Speak Out That book is a collection of actual interviews with LGTBQ teens whose stories of their own experiences drew outrage locally for its allegedly “strong s--ually explicit content.”
“I was just struck by their bravery and honesty and willingness to share their stories to help other teens who may have questions,” Smith said.
Flamer is the only book on Smith’s list she hadn’t read yet.
It was one of the 61 titles first challenged in Central Bucks when the district’s library policy, passed in July 2022, was finally put into practice in January.
The book made its mark on Smith during an October panel discussion in Tampa, Florida, hosted by the American Association of School Librarians.
On the panel discussion with Smith was Cameron Samuels, a student from the Katy Independent School District, in Texas, which has been a frequent hotbed of library censorship for the past few years.
“During our presentation, (Samuels) said that 'Flamer' saved his life. So, at the time, I remember kind of being … I almost lost it on the stage hearing him say that. So, it seemed like something worth noting.”
‘Jesus, how I love thee’: Kansas public school district warned about Bible lessons, worship songsFreedom from Religion Foundation says Goddard school district ended unconstitutional practice after receiving letter
https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/0...
A south-central Kansas public school choir teacher taught middle school students Christian worship songs centering around loving Jesus, such as “Praise His Holy Name,” and made students listen to Bible lessons, according to a national watchdog group’s report.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation, a national nonprofit geared toward the separation of state and church, urged the district to stop the practice in late November after a concerned district parent reached out to them.
“It’s not a teacher’s job to convert a student to their religion, no matter what tools they use to do so,” said FRF co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor in a news release.
The parent told the FRF that a teacher at Challenger Intermediate School in the Goddard school district had been teaching sixth-graders religious songs since late October.
The teacher allegedly also taught lessons on the biblical story of Daniel, a story that is meant to encourage belief and worship of the Abrahamic God.
FRF legal fellow Samantha Lawrence sent district superintendent Justin Henry a letter warning of these constitutional violations on Nov. 29.
“There is no need for a public intermediate school choral program to select religious worship music for students, and it is plainly unconstitutional for a public school choir teacher to teach students Bible lessons,” Lawrence wrote.
“By coercing sixth-grade students to sing overtly Christian worship music in its choral program, the district demonstrates favoritism towards religion over nonreligion, and Christianity over all other faiths,” she added. “This favoritism towards Christianity needlessly alienates all students and families, such as our complainant and their child, who do not subscribe to Christianity.”
Henry’s response to the letter, as reported by the FRF, was to inform the teacher of constitutional rights and violations.
“Since receiving your email on Nov. 29, we have had the opportunity to provide (the teacher) this information and will be planning a meeting with all district choir instructors to ensure they understand the information,” Henry said.
____________________________
Jesus does not belong in public schools. Thank you Roger Williams who is rolling over in his grave, along with Thomas Jefferson.
In the 80s and 90s we sang secular Christmas songs in school and that was bad enough. I wasn't aware of any students who weren't Christian but some were Jehovah Witnesses and don't celebrate holidays. We learned about Jesus after school at CCD (Catholic religious education after school) and at home.
The BEST news I've heard all week!"Fight Book Bans" Act Introduced in US Congress
The bill would fight book bans by giving public school districts access to up to $100,000 each during the challenge process.
As the US prepares to enter another year of relentless censorship attacks perpetrated against young people and their access to books in public schools and libraries, a new bill to help counteract the costs of book bans has been introduced into Congress. Developed by Representative Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, the Fight Book Bans Act is not angled toward ending book bans directly. Instead, the bill would help fund the cost school districts incur while moving through the process of reviewing books which have been challenged. The legislation would allow up to $100,000 per district to go through the challenge process via the Department of Education.
The bill would appropriate $15 million over the next five years.
“Book bans in Florida and in states across the nation are a direct attack on our freedoms and liberties everywhere. As my home state shamefully leads the country in book bans, we cannot let this censorship and dismantling of our education system go unchecked,” said Frost in a press release. “What we are seeing in Florida and states like Texas, Utah, and Missouri are loud and clear attempts by far-right conservative leaders to silence and erase our Black, brown, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ communities. The Fight Book Bans Act takes a stand against censorship to firmly stand on the side of history, education, our students, teachers, and schools who don’t deserve to suffer the consequences of radical politics in the classroom. This is about protecting our libraries and protecting truth and history.”
The bill is backed by several anti-censorship and anti-discrimination groups, including PEN America, ACLU National, American Library Association, Interfaith Alliance, The Trevor Project, Catholics for Choice, Color of Change, National Urban League, UnidosUS, Equality Florida, Florida Freedom to Read Project, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), and NAACP DC.
https://literaryactivism.substack.com...
Disappointed not to see my new Reps on there. Must reach out and encourage support of this bill. They may be new and we may not be into book banning here but they could support it.
Oops one more piece of bad news from Washington stateA WA city council might give itself the power to ban library books
The Liberty Lake proposal would usurp the library board of trustees’ policy-making control, including decisions about which titles to stock.
https://crosscut.com/news/2023/12/wa-...
Liberty Lake Councilmember Phil Folyer introduced an ordinance at that meeting that would give the Council policy-making control over the city’s library, including which titles can appear on its shelves. Those decisions are currently made by the library’s board of trustees, an appointed body of library professionals who are trained to make decisions about what content best serves a given population.
The introduction of the ordinance will be one of Folyer’s final significant acts as a Councilmember before he is replaced by Linda Ball on January 1.
A similar bill was passed in May 2023 but vetoed by Liberty Lake Mayor Cris Kaminskas. The original legislation would have prevented the council from initiating a proposal to ban books — requiring instead that book-ban proposals come from community members. The new ordinance allows the Council to directly initiate a ban, giving it even more power.
Opponents of the legislation say it is being reintroduced now because there is a small window of just over a month in which supporters of the proposal have the supermajority required for it to pass.
Councilmember Chris Cargill defended the ordinance as creating a more direct democratic structure. “Those who are closest to the voters are tasked with being responsible to the voters,” Cargill said at the meeting. “Unelected boards and commissions are not responsible to voters, and they don’t need to be responsible to voters.”
During that meeting, the controversy came to a head, with enough people filling the council chambers to oppose the policy, known as Ordinance 119-D, that city employees had to find extra chairs. Many who spoke during the open comment period said the move was intended to ban books; others objected to the Council taking advantage of the scheduling quirk that could briefly give it a large-enough majority to overturn any repeat mayoral veto between November 28 and January 1, when Linda Ball, a newly elected councilmember, takes office.
“If it’s not about book banning, what is it about?” said community member Kottayam V. Natarajan Jr.
The policy areas the library board currently oversees include providing free internet to visitors, keeping the library clean and safe, deciding who is eligible for a library card and, crucially, what books go on the shelves.
Though the ordinance does not mention book bans, it’s that last authority — known as the “Collection Development Policy” — that has raised the hackles of activists and Councilmembers concerned about book bans. The first ordinance that wanted to give policy-making power to the City Council contained language saying the Council could not initiate a book ban, which Councilmember Annie Kurtz said she lobbied to include. That language would have allowed the Council to get rid of books retroactively but not to propose a book ban. The new version does not include that language.
“There’s always been a separation of libraries and politics, so that people of political power aren’t making decisions over what materials are in the library,” said Jandy Humble, director of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library. “There’s the Library Bill of Rights, which was set after World War II, when we saw book-burning and that sort of thing.”
But for some Council members who apparently wanted more control over library policymaking, this was a timely moment to seize it. On May 16, the Council voted 4-3 to cement its policy-making authority over the library.
But though the timing was opportune, it was not perfect. On May 22, Mayor Cris Kaminskas sent the legislation back with no signature, and the Council lacked the votes to overturn this veto.
The election of November 7 has given the councilmembers who wanted full control over library policy an opportunity to revisit this project. On November 28, Mike Kennedy, who has signaled he supports the ordinance, was sworn in, replacing his incumbent opponent, Tom Sahlberg, who voted against the original proposal.
Kennedy told Spokane’s Spokesman-Review that he believes the library, as an extension of the city of Liberty Lake, should have its policies set by the elected representatives of that city rather than be insulated from voter opinion.
“The library is funded by the city,” Kennedy said. “Because of that, the library comes under the rules and regulations of the city. Where does the buck stop? It stops at elected officials.”
Kennedy’s vote would give the pro-control wing of the Council a 5-2 majority, enough to override a mayoral veto. After November 28, Sahlberg’s departure left only Kurtz and Dunne against five Councilmembers — Kennedy, Wendy Van Orman, Chris Cargill, Jed Spencer and Folyer — who have expressed support for greater government control of library shelves.
“So then you’ve got the potential of that supermajority, which is what people are worried about,” Kurtz said.
That supermajority will go away January 1, when Folyer leaves office and Ball is sworn in.
Not all Councilmembers are on board with the ordinance. Kurtz said during the meeting that, if approved, the policy would give opponents of 2SLGBTQIA+ and Black history material in libraries a political tool to drive book bans.
“Book bans continue to happen across the country,” Kurtz said. “They need a vehicle to do that. And this ordinance, the way it’s written, provides that opportunity, even if that is not the intent.”
Ball, who will be sworn in January 1, and who spoke at previous meetings debating the original ordinance, told RANGE the repeat ordinance seemed “like a last-minute grasp at power, and it’s wrong.”
She spoke again Tuesday night about the renewed effort, asking the Council why it is singling out the library for control.
“I believe you’re afraid of people who think differently than you,” she said. “If this isn’t about book banning, then why does the majority not demand control of the planning commissions … or any of the other boards and commissions within this city?”
Councilmember Sahlberg also criticized the introduction of the new ordinance.
In April, Roxanna Gomez and Kendrick Washington of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington sent a letter to the City Council saying they were “monitoring the situation” and would “decide how to proceed” after the April 18 Council meeting.
“We hope this email conveys the serious threats book banning poses to your community’s constitutional rights,” Gomez and Washington wrote to the council.
The letter asserted that by trying to exert full control over the library board, the council was “in direct violation of RCW 27.12.210, which grants authority to library trustees, like Liberty Lake Municipal Library’s Board of Trustees, to ‘Adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations for their own guidance and for the government of the library as they deem expedient.’”
The letter also cited the city’s 2021 proclamation on equity, which says Liberty Lake must “ensure that City services are responsive to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.”
In a statement to RANGE, Washington said the ACLU will continue to watch what’s happening in Liberty Lake.
"Some have openly questioned the timing of Ordinance 119-D and how it relates to the election results, specifically my seat,” Folyer said during the meeting. “I swore an oath and have a duty to represent this city in all matters related to the Council’s responsibilities for four years, not three years and ten and a half months. I believe I have earned the right to continue representing the city until December 31st, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
If the Council passes the ordinance and Kaminskas repeats her veto, the council will have till January 1 to override the rejection. It’s unclear whether Mike Kennedy, who was sworn in November 28, would vote to override the mayor’s veto, but he has told local news organizations he believes the Council should have more control over the library board.
Councilmember Kurtz worried public opinion was being disregarded by the council.
Sahlberg echoed Kurtz’s concerns, saying Council control does not necessarily equal stronger democracy.
“Our organizational chart lists the citizens as the top tier, not the [City Council],” Sahlberg wrote.
Oops one more piece of bad news from Washington stateA WA city council might give itself the power to ban library books
The Liberty Lake proposal would usurp the library board of trustees’ policy-making control, including decisions about which titles to stock.
https://crosscut.com/news/2023/12/wa-...
Liberty Lake Councilmember Phil Folyer introduced an ordinance at that meeting that would give the Council policy-making control over the city’s library, including which titles can appear on its shelves. Those decisions are currently made by the library’s board of trustees, an appointed body of library professionals who are trained to make decisions about what content best serves a given population.
The introduction of the ordinance will be one of Folyer’s final significant acts as a Councilmember before he is replaced by Linda Ball on January 1.
A similar bill was passed in May 2023 but vetoed by Liberty Lake Mayor Cris Kaminskas. The original legislation would have prevented the council from initiating a proposal to ban books — requiring instead that book-ban proposals come from community members. The new ordinance allows the Council to directly initiate a ban, giving it even more power.
Opponents of the legislation say it is being reintroduced now because there is a small window of just over a month in which supporters of the proposal have the supermajority required for it to pass.
Councilmember Chris Cargill defended the ordinance as creating a more direct democratic structure. “Those who are closest to the voters are tasked with being responsible to the voters,” Cargill said at the meeting. “Unelected boards and commissions are not responsible to voters, and they don’t need to be responsible to voters.”
During that meeting, the controversy came to a head, with enough people filling the council chambers to oppose the policy, known as Ordinance 119-D, that city employees had to find extra chairs. Many who spoke during the open comment period said the move was intended to ban books; others objected to the Council taking advantage of the scheduling quirk that could briefly give it a large-enough majority to overturn any repeat mayoral veto between November 28 and January 1, when Linda Ball, a newly elected councilmember, takes office.
“If it’s not about book banning, what is it about?” said community member Kottayam V. Natarajan Jr.
The policy areas the library board currently oversees include providing free internet to visitors, keeping the library clean and safe, deciding who is eligible for a library card and, crucially, what books go on the shelves.
Though the ordinance does not mention book bans, it’s that last authority — known as the “Collection Development Policy” — that has raised the hackles of activists and Councilmembers concerned about book bans. The first ordinance that wanted to give policy-making power to the City Council contained language saying the Council could not initiate a book ban, which Councilmember Annie Kurtz said she lobbied to include. That language would have allowed the Council to get rid of books retroactively but not to propose a book ban. The new version does not include that language.
“There’s always been a separation of libraries and politics, so that people of political power aren’t making decisions over what materials are in the library,” said Jandy Humble, director of the Liberty Lake Municipal Library. “There’s the Library Bill of Rights, which was set after World War II, when we saw book-burning and that sort of thing.”
But for some Council members who apparently wanted more control over library policymaking, this was a timely moment to seize it. On May 16, the Council voted 4-3 to cement its policy-making authority over the library.
But though the timing was opportune, it was not perfect. On May 22, Mayor Cris Kaminskas sent the legislation back with no signature, and the Council lacked the votes to overturn this veto.
The election of November 7 has given the councilmembers who wanted full control over library policy an opportunity to revisit this project. On November 28, Mike Kennedy, who has signaled he supports the ordinance, was sworn in, replacing his incumbent opponent, Tom Sahlberg, who voted against the original proposal.
Kennedy told Spokane’s Spokesman-Review that he believes the library, as an extension of the city of Liberty Lake, should have its policies set by the elected representatives of that city rather than be insulated from voter opinion.
“The library is funded by the city,” Kennedy said. “Because of that, the library comes under the rules and regulations of the city. Where does the buck stop? It stops at elected officials.”
Kennedy’s vote would give the pro-control wing of the Council a 5-2 majority, enough to override a mayoral veto. After November 28, Sahlberg’s departure left only Kurtz and Dunne against five Councilmembers — Kennedy, Wendy Van Orman, Chris Cargill, Jed Spencer and Folyer — who have expressed support for greater government control of library shelves.
“So then you’ve got the potential of that supermajority, which is what people are worried about,” Kurtz said.
That supermajority will go away January 1, when Folyer leaves office and Ball is sworn in.
Not all Councilmembers are on board with the ordinance. Kurtz said during the meeting that, if approved, the policy would give opponents of 2SLGBTQIA+ and Black history material in libraries a political tool to drive book bans.
“Book bans continue to happen across the country,” Kurtz said. “They need a vehicle to do that. And this ordinance, the way it’s written, provides that opportunity, even if that is not the intent.”
Ball, who will be sworn in January 1, and who spoke at previous meetings debating the original ordinance, told RANGE the repeat ordinance seemed “like a last-minute grasp at power, and it’s wrong.”
She spoke again Tuesday night about the renewed effort, asking the Council why it is singling out the library for control.
“I believe you’re afraid of people who think differently than you,” she said. “If this isn’t about book banning, then why does the majority not demand control of the planning commissions … or any of the other boards and commissions within this city?”
Councilmember Sahlberg also criticized the introduction of the new ordinance.
In April, Roxanna Gomez and Kendrick Washington of the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington sent a letter to the City Council saying they were “monitoring the situation” and would “decide how to proceed” after the April 18 Council meeting.
“We hope this email conveys the serious threats book banning poses to your community’s constitutional rights,” Gomez and Washington wrote to the council.
The letter asserted that by trying to exert full control over the library board, the council was “in direct violation of RCW 27.12.210, which grants authority to library trustees, like Liberty Lake Municipal Library’s Board of Trustees, to ‘Adopt such bylaws, rules, and regulations for their own guidance and for the government of the library as they deem expedient.’”
The letter also cited the city’s 2021 proclamation on equity, which says Liberty Lake must “ensure that City services are responsive to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.”
In a statement to RANGE, Washington said the ACLU will continue to watch what’s happening in Liberty Lake.
"Some have openly questioned the timing of Ordinance 119-D and how it relates to the election results, specifically my seat,” Folyer said during the meeting. “I swore an oath and have a duty to represent this city in all matters related to the Council’s responsibilities for four years, not three years and ten and a half months. I believe I have earned the right to continue representing the city until December 31st, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
If the Council passes the ordinance and Kaminskas repeats her veto, the council will have till January 1 to override the rejection. It’s unclear whether Mike Kennedy, who was sworn in November 28, would vote to override the mayor’s veto, but he has told local news organizations he believes the Council should have more control over the library board.
Councilmember Kurtz worried public opinion was being disregarded by the council.
Sahlberg echoed Kurtz’s concerns, saying Council control does not necessarily equal stronger democracy.
“Our organizational chart lists the citizens as the top tier, not the [City Council],” Sahlberg wrote.
Alabama- Books moved at Foley library all came from one challengerThe issue there began when a resident came into the library and got a library card to check out a list of book
https://www.alreporter.com/2023/12/06...
This should not at all be allowed. There should be a limit to how many books one person can challenge and they should be required to read the book and state in a paragraph or two why they object to the book. "The title offends me" doesn't cut it and neither does not understanding the storytelling style. Not even "two boys kissing" is a valid excuse. Explain... how hot are these kisses on a scale of 1 being Hallmark movie and 10 being Netflix or pay cable (Bridgerton, Outlander).
The article states:
"David Thompson, executive director of leisure services for the city of Foley, told APR the issue there began when a resident came into the library and got a library card to check out a list of books.
Thompson did not name the resident, but it is clear that it is Stephanie Williams, a resident who spoke out about the books at Foley City Council meetings.
In an August letter to Foley mayor Ralph Hellmich and the Foley City Council, Williams makes her contention with the books clear.
“These particular titles are only 14 of the available titles in the Children’s section search under lgbtq as a search filter,” Williams wrote in the letter. She writes that some titles are self-explanatory as to content such as “Two Boys Kissing.”
The nine books moved from young adult to adult are the exact nine books mentioned in Williams’ letter.
In her letter, Williams criticizes “My Love Mix-up” because it “must be read from back to front and consists of pencil drawings and incomprehensible word salads.” It is a manga about two high school boys who fall in love after a miscommunication.
APR has not read the book but could find no instance of explicit content in the book online.
“Say the Right Thing” is a book about how to talk about diversity and inclusion.
On a document from the city, it listed “objectionable content” in the book as including “gender equity in the workplace.”
Thompson clarified that those “objectionable content” sections were written by the city, not by Williams, from sources such as BookLooks.
Online reviews of Summer of Salt say s-- is not explicitly described.
Other books moved do contain sexually explicit scenes or passages—three of the books are s--ual education books.
In her letter, Williams said she had yet to read “The Lesbiana’s guide to Catholic school,” but said the title alone offended her.
Thompson said Williams is ultimately a citizen of Foley and the city will always be responsive to citizens requests.
He did lament the recent focus on these books, however, and said it has had negative impacts on the library.
“It’s a little disappointing, to be honest with you; librarians feel like they’re under attack,” Thompson said. “People are rethinking wanting to work in the library—not just Foley or our sister cities. The library staff that we have is amazing and do great things for so many people.”
Oklahoma superintendent Ryan Walters rejects ALA guidelines, introduces new information literacy standardshttps://okcfox.com/news/local/oklahom...
"The new grade-band approach is said to 'ensure our kids have the tools they need to make sound decisions in the ever-evolving information age.'
It was also added that 'Oklahoma will be a leader in preparing our students for the digital future.'
The focus of the new standards is solely on skills, which will encompass the inquiry process while incorporating modern elements like artificial intelligence."
So basically no reading, no creative writing, no imagination, no creativity, no love of literature and the written word.
Judge hears Florida's argument that school book bans are protected government speechhttps://www.tallahassee.com/story/new...
Trying to get a better understanding of Florida's argument that public school libraries are meant to convey the government's message and that book removals are protected government speech, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor posed a hypothetical.
During a Wednesday hearing in Tallahassee, the Trump-appointed judge asked a representative of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's office if, for example, the state believed an official could selectively remove school library books written by Democratic politicians.
Attorney Bridget O'Hickey replied in the affirmative. If Floridians didn't like it, she added, they could vote that official out.
[Lawsuit over And Tango Makes Three]
On Wednesday, Winsor heard arguments from both sides on whether the case should be dismissed.
While hurling multiple arguments at the plaintiffs — who are authors Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell as well as a third grade student who wants to access the book — the county and state defendants are putting a lot of weight in the government speech one. Moody even filed a legal brief promoting it in a separate book removal lawsuit that the state wasn't even named in.
That's despite a multitude of First Amendment experts and advocates raising concerns about the idea — some calling it "authoritarianism."
Winsor also asked O'Hickey if she thought the government speech doctrine applied to public libraries.
She indicated that was the state's take, but said it applied more forcefully to public school libraries. O'Hickey pointed to recent government speech court decisions, including one about park statues.
Meanwhile, plaintiff attorney Anna Neill said extending that doctrine so far was "extremely dangerous."
Winsor repeatedly stated throughout the hearing that the case law regarding government speech and school libraries was undeveloped, calling the lack of cases on it "peculiar." Talking through it on the bench, he weighed two extremes, wondering about a middle-ground.
One was if a court decision went all in for the government speech argument, possibly creating something like the hypothetical situation he presented to the state attorney.
Winsor expressed reservations about the other side of the coin too, critical of it leading to a situation where every decision about every book had to be subjected to First Amendment scrutiny. He speculated that a school district deciding not to put a pro-Adolf Hitler book on its shelves or removing antiquated books from the '50s with racist ideologies would also be considered "viewpoint discrimination."
Winsor said he intends to issue a ruling on the motion to dismiss the case "hopefully before too long."
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/new...
Judge hears Florida's argument that school book bans are protected government speechhttps://www.tallahassee.com/story/new...
Trying to get a better understanding of Florida's argument that public school libraries are meant to convey the government's message and that book removals are protected government speech, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor posed a hypothetical.
During a Wednesday hearing in Tallahassee, the Trump-appointed judge asked a representative of Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's office if, for example, the state believed an official could selectively remove school library books written by Democratic politicians.
Attorney Bridget O'Hickey replied in the affirmative. If Floridians didn't like it, she added, they could vote that official out.
[Lawsuit over And Tango Makes Three]
On Wednesday, Winsor heard arguments from both sides on whether the case should be dismissed.
While hurling multiple arguments at the plaintiffs — who are authors Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell as well as a third grade student who wants to access the book — the county and state defendants are putting a lot of weight in the government speech one. Moody even filed a legal brief promoting it in a separate book removal lawsuit that the state wasn't even named in.
That's despite a multitude of First Amendment experts and advocates raising concerns about the idea — some calling it "authoritarianism."
Winsor also asked O'Hickey if she thought the government speech doctrine applied to public libraries.
She indicated that was the state's take, but said it applied more forcefully to public school libraries. O'Hickey pointed to recent government speech court decisions, including one about park statues.
Meanwhile, plaintiff attorney Anna Neill said extending that doctrine so far was "extremely dangerous."
Winsor repeatedly stated throughout the hearing that the case law regarding government speech and school libraries was undeveloped, calling the lack of cases on it "peculiar." Talking through it on the bench, he weighed two extremes, wondering about a middle-ground.
One was if a court decision went all in for the government speech argument, possibly creating something like the hypothetical situation he presented to the state attorney.
Winsor expressed reservations about the other side of the coin too, critical of it leading to a situation where every decision about every book had to be subjected to First Amendment scrutiny. He speculated that a school district deciding not to put a pro-Adolf Hitler book on its shelves or removing antiquated books from the '50s with racist ideologies would also be considered "viewpoint discrimination."
Winsor said he intends to issue a ruling on the motion to dismiss the case "hopefully before too long."
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/new...
Mod
https://lawrencekstimes.com/2022/05/1...
I really liked Fred Gets Dressed. He wears his dad's clothes too! He tries a lot of different styles including naked. Very young children run around naked and experiment with playing dress up and finding a style they like. My mom taught nursery school for over 30 years and to date, she knows of ONE kid who is trans and POSSIBLY there was another one. She doesn't know for sure. If a 9 and 11 year old are bothered by a naked boy, they have big, big problems beyond books.
Today's news and a year end round up so farhttps://literaryactivism.substack.com...
It's too late to copy/paste relevant points but I'll add the banned books to the lists.
This makes noooo sense.OK I have to post this about The Big Bath House which some of us have read and liked. It is a celebration of Japanese culture and body positivity, yes? This right-wing activist in California apparently has never bathed naked or bathed her children naked or bathed with her children. We mixed genders in the bathtub when we were toddlers. The world didn't end. We weren't being "groomed" or whatever else this strange woman claims. Almost all the rest of those kids are married to someone of the opposite sex and/or bathed their own children (naked) of the opposite sex and probably with cousins after a day at the beach. My nieces and nephews ran around naked in front of each other when they were small.
Quote: (view spoiler)
https://www.thedailybeast.com/karen-e...
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OK I have to post this about The Big Bath House which some of us have read and liked. It is a celebration of Japanese culture and body positivity, yes? This..."
Well, in many LESS ridiculous and puritanical countries of the world (like in the Japan of the book title and in much of Europe) nudity (even with children and adults present) is considered fine and the book clearly shows that this takes place in Japan.
The censor realizes the book takes place in Japan but for some reason thinks kids are too stupid to understand that OR that the people in the illustrations are all women. (See issues with nudity to begin with, her kids probably don't even know what naked people look like). I think it says she's visiting Ojisan in Japan and the aunties and cousins are at the bath house. The reader can always reinforce that by pointing to things and people and explaining it to the listener. That's how you read books to small children!
Mod
I wonder if her own kids popped out of her fully clothed.
The Big Bath House does state she's visiting Baachan and there's a glossary right in front. It clearly takes place in Japan. It even states the aunties are coming and... if this woman's children don't know what a naked adult female looks like, they have problems because clearly the bathers are women and childrenhttps://kyomaclearkids.com/books/big-...
Bad news in Wisconsin
Prosecuting teachers and librarians for ‘obscene’ books sought in bill
A Republican-backed proposal would remove protections against prosecution for teachers and librarians who give certain books to students
https://wisconsinexaminer.com/2023/12...
One day, teachers and library staff across Wisconsin may find that they could be prosecuted for allowing K-12 students to view certain books or other materials. A new Republican legislative proposal to penalize educators for exposing children to obscene materials comes out of a wider effort to restrict what K-12 students can see or read. The bill had its day on Tuesday before the Republican-led Assembly Committee on Education. AB-308 would remove protections for school and library staff against being prosecuted for providing “obscene” materials to minors. If passed, the bill would create a new class of felons — teachers and library staff who are found to have provided students with inappropriate books or other media.
Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) and Sen. Andre Jacque (R-DePere) pushed back against concerns about the bills. “I’m grateful for the public hearing as there are many who suggest that there are no obscene materials in our schools and that this bill is just about book bans and political agendas,” said Allen in testimony to the committee. “As you’ll hear today from other testifiers, there are many parents and educators who have become concerned at how students can encounter s--ually explicit material at school.”
Allen described “obscene material” as any writing, picture, film or recording which could cause “immoderate or unwholesome desires,” depicts s--ual conduct in an offensive way, or lacks serious literary, artistic, political, educational or scientific value. “When we look at this definition, I think all of us, regardless of political persuasions, would agree that material showing s---ual content in a provocative way should not be something that we give to 12-year-olds,” said Allen. “If any of us chose to distribute obscene material to a minor, we would be subject to felony charges. Rightly so.” Allen added. “Should we not hold those who work with minors to the same level of responsibility as any other Wisconsinite?”
Both Allen and Jacque stressed that the bill isn’t about banning books. “It’s a simple, commonsense acknowledgment that all books and materials may not be appropriate for all kids of all age groups, particularly those with sexually explicit and perverse content,” said Jacque. “This is hardly an extreme or radical expectation.” Jacque, like committee vice-chair Barbara Dittrich (R-Oconomowoc) who went before a Senate committee with another library-related bill last week, said that virtual learning after the pandemic caused parents to pay closer attention to what their children had access to in school. Some turned their outrage into organizing, creating lists of books largely about LGBTQ issues, race and social justice issues to remove or restrict in schools. Allen and Jacque said some constituents told them prosecuting school and library staff for providing certain materials to students was a step in the right direction.
In emails obtained by Wisconsin Examiner last year, parents compiled a list of books they viewed as inappropriate for young students, and encouraged Republican lawmakers to look into removing them. Some parents felt the books were s----ally obscene, others felt that their kids were being taught to “hate cops and hate their white skin in the classrooms at our elementary schools.” Prosecuting teachers and library staff for providing such books to students was recommended by constituents in many of these early emails. Allen was among Republican lawmakers who’d received those early conversations regarding prosecution of school and library staff.
Earlier this year, Allen and Jacque floated co-sponsorship memos for legislation to remove protections for school staff and prohibit school districts from using funds to purchase any materials found to be obscene. In Tuesday’s hearing, the two lawmakers continued that effort. Other people speaking in favor of the bill included representatives of groups including one called Gays Against Groomers as well as Wisconsin Family Action. A member of Gays Against Groomers testified wearing an American flag patterned bandana, and stated that books like Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe are “p---phile books.” Testimony from Moms for Liberty was also provided to the committee. People speaking in favor of the bill argued that they wanted to protect the innocence of young children, particularly from teachers who have “an agenda.”
“The Infinite Moment of Us” by Lauren Myracle (YA), “Fun Home” by Alison Bechdel (adult) and “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood (adult) were among the books identified for having violence, descriptions of self-harm, “alternate gender ideologies,” “controversial religious commentary,” and “profanity.”
Although no one spoke against the bill in person, 10 groups registered against the bill, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin, multiple associations representing school district administrators, school nurses, school business officials, and librarians.
Several members of the committee chimed in on the bill in testimony. Rep. William Penterman (R-Columbus) said he had concerns “that the bill doesn’t go far enough.” Penterman felt the bill couldn’t be applied widely enough to different communities and situations. Penterman said that in his own city, “a naked bike ride wouldn’t fly, but in other places that might be seen as totally acceptable,” said Penterman.
Other Republican members harked back to a remembered golden era of modesty. Rep. Chuck Wichgers (R-Muskego) said there’s a battle between school librarians “who say we’re licensed, we’re the experts, we decide what meets the burden of ‘scandalizes’.” He added that, “for 50 years parents trusted the schools, the teachers, and then all of a sudden this movement after COVID [challenged those assumptions].”
“We’ve gone 50 years of letting teachers decide what is best for our kids on these sensitive topics,” Wichgers added. “And now the parents saw what the sensitive topics have become, compared to when their first set of kids went through five, 10, 15 years ago. When they were in school 30, 40 years ago, and they’re saying how did we get here so quickly? And can we go back to Elvis Presley shaking his leg and singing as a baseline of what is scandal? And can we go back to that? Because I think that we’ve gone too far.”
Democratic members of the committee questioned various aspects of the bills. Rep. Dave Considine (D-Baraboo) said the bill would result in the state policing what different communities do, despite what those communities may want. Not all communities find the same issues, topics, or lifestyles obscene or perverse, he added.
Allen said that adults can have discussions about which materials are valuable and appropriate for different age groups. He pushed back against the idea that there should be a variety of different standards. “There should be no one exempt from our obscene statutes, or obscene materials law,” said Allen. Speaking of elementary school teachers, and Allen said, “if there’s one bad apple in the bunch it can do a significant amount of damage.”
Allen and Jacque said that teachers and librarians don’t have to worry about overzealous enforcement, since a case for prosecution would need to be brought to the district attorney, and then the attorney general, before any criminal action was taken.
Rep. Deb Andraca (D-Whitefish Bay) questioned whether Allen and others had actually read school library policies. In many cases across the state as books have become more controversial, school districts have removed books or moved them up in grade levels away from younger students. Andraca pointed out that in those cases the policies worked. In some cases, the policies were specifically requested by the same parents pushing to restrict what books students could access. Allen argued that no one should be exempted from responsibility just because of their profession.
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Many American Republicans (and ALL book banners and so called Social Conservatives) are politically speaking not right wing at all, since they act like such disgusting Stalinists and many also seem to support Vladimir Putin as well.
This challenge was reported early but it's worth talking about.Exactly how does this White woman know more about a Black person's story than the person who lived it almost 200 years ago?! While yes I had questions about the way the film portrayed Solomon as a well spoken, well-dressed man. Why would anyone believe he was a slave? That's not accurate from the book from what I read. I have heard Roots has historical inaccurate but it's not a documentary or a slave narrative.
keywords in this article being White and amateur.
Texas Historical Group Removes Slavery Books At Ex-Slave Plantations: Report
Around two dozen titles, including slave narratives, were removed after one white woman’s repeated complaining.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/texas-...
The Texas Historical Commission has removed around two dozen race-related books from the gift shops of two former slave plantations because one person complained, according to Texas Monthly.
The magazine reported this week that Michelle Haas, a white amateur historianbegan emailing a commission board member after visiting the Varner-Hogg plantation last year.
Titles reportedly removed included: “Remembering the Days of Sorrow,” a book of slave narratives; “Invisible Man,” the Ralph Ellison novel on the Black experience; “Stamped from the Beginning,” a history of racist ideas by Ibram X. Kendi; and “Roots,” the Alex Haley novel famously adapted for television in the 1970s.
The magazine reported that Haas thought the Varner-Hogg plantation presented too much information about the enslaved Black people who worked the sugarcane fields and not enough about the white people who lived in the main house. She later reportedly emailed David Gravelle, a commission’s board member, a list of titles she did not like that were available at another nearby historical site, the Levi Jordan plantation.
Haas is the author of a book of her own, titled “200 Years a Fraud,” which takes the text of the “12 Years a Slave” memoir and points out what she considers historical inaccuracies in the primary author’s account of his own life.
Gravelle reportedly took up Haas’ complaints with the board, claiming he feared the Republican-controlled state legislature would be upset if lawmakers found out about the titles on offer.
A spokesperson for the commission pinned the change on a general reduction of inventory.
One more from IowaLocal school districts review, remove books in response to new law
https://www.telegraphherald.com/news/...
Although leaders of local districts declined to share which books, specifically, are leaving school shelves, they emphasized the review process has involved staff from multiple departments and follows the letter of the law. And Dubuque Community Schools officials said they plan to release a list of the removed texts later this month.
“It’s not about our own personal feelings about a book,” said Dubuque Superintendent Amy Hawkins. “It’s really about, ‘This is the criteria that meets the law,’ and we really have to be objective about that. Does it meet the law or does it not?”
Executive Director of Secondary Education Mark Burns said a committee of teachers and administrators reviewed instructional texts used in secondary classes, while secondary librarians reviewed library materials. At the elementary level, curriculum materials were reviewed by district-level instructional staff and a committee of staff members reviewed library materials.
“The staff has really done a great job of looking at the novels and the other books that are out there to make sure that we are within the law as it is written, and we’ve had some interesting conversations around that,” Burns said.
At the meeting, board members also discussed necessary updates to the district’s existing policy about material selection, review and reconsideration based on the new law. These included the option for anyone challenging a text to remain anonymous, the requirement that the person challenging a text be a parent or guardian and the removal of a student representative on a committee to reconsider a text.
The updated policy, which the board is expected to formally approve at its meeting Monday, Dec. 11, also formalizes the process that allows a parent or guardian to request that their student not receive certain instructional materials.
No surprise here, calling out the censors by nameMoms for Liberty, others to push for removal of books at Brevard school board meeting
Multiple groups were expected to attend the meeting in response to a call to action by Moms for Liberty.
Jennifer Pippin M4L chapter chair
Board Vice Chair Gene Trent who wants to ban nearly 300 books.
Michelle Bowers
Karen Colby
George Ross
The good guys:
Quinn Swearingen, field organizer at Equality Florida, suggested members call out the actions of those in favor of book removals and to read passages from a favorite book, especially if it is a banned book.
"Share passages that have inspired you or that have helped you in some way," he said. "Do not let Mom's For Liberty hide behind their out-of-context passages and fear-mongering, show an alternative vision and a love for literature."
Brevard Public Schools Watch, a social media page that shares information related to BPS and political action taken by the district and by community members related to the district, shared a post on Dec. 7 with a similar call to action. They raised concerns that not only would "Sold" be banned, but that the board would also go forward with a motion previously proposed by Board Vice Chair Gene Trent to ban nearly 300 books.
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/ne...
Another week, same old same old. One Parent, Melissa Bollinger, Got 444 Books Removed from a Wisconsin School District
School administrators in Wisconsin are considering changes to their book banning policy after one parent requested 444 titles be removed from the library.
Jason Tadlock, superintendent of the Elkhorn Area School District, said the same parent asked on Nov. 30 that 163 books at Elkhorn Middle School and 281 books at the high school be removed, and the books were taken out of circulation per district policy and are being reviewed by school principals, reported Wisconsin Public Radio.
"To be frank, we probably never anticipated somebody bringing forth a challenge that would create such a disruption in the school environment," Tadlock said. "It takes a lot of time and effort, and I’ll be honest, there is a certain amount of frustration."
Principals are evaluating the books for grade-level appropriateness Common Sense Media, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon, and Tadlock said he doesn't anticipate that any of them would be banned by the district and some have already been put back onto the shelves.
"We might have an age restriction based on the book, meaning they might need a parent’s permission," Tadlock said, "but I don’t think any of the books will be removed from circulation."
Some of the challenged books include: "Anna Karenina," by Leo Tolstoy, "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn," by Betty Smith," and "The Grapes of Wrath," by John Steinbeck.
"I don’t know if there has been a challenge of this size in the entire nation," Tadlock said. "We’ll look to make this more practical in the future."
https://www.rawstory.com/wisconsin-ba...
She even includes links to the BookLooks '"reviews" from those as "proof" of them being inappropriate.
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed an open records request with Elkhorn Area School District, as well as several others in the state of Wisconsin.
Parents in the community have been rallying to get the word out about the challenge, as well as to raise awareness about how such removals harm students far more than any book that may be sitting on a library shelf. They created a website called ItIsABookBan.com to encourage people to show up to the school board meeting this past Monday, December 11.
The list:
https://apptegy-alerts-attachments-pr...
https://literaryactivism.substack.com...
I can't even believe this was allowed and there really should be a LIMIT to how many books a person can challenge and RULES like reading the whole book, stating clearly in complete sentences why you object to the book. In this case, the person flat out LIED and faked the forms to look official and didn't go through the correct process. The books have already been evaluated on peer review legit sources like School Library Journal NOT Amazon! Amazon is NOT a legit source of professional book reviews!
More shocking news but unsurprisingKansas school district turns against books that mention nudity, sexual orientation, gender identity
Leavenworth Board of Education members passed policy revisions Monday to determine new criteria for library books, media collections
https://kansasreflector.com/2023/12/1...
A northeast Kansas school board has taken wide-ranging action against books that mention nudity, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexuality and other topics, a move critics say is meant to target LGBTQ+ books, but may impact a wide scope of educational materials in the district.
The Leavenworth School District Board of Education voted 4-3 on Monday to pass revisions to an education policy that bans “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” references in the district’s elementary library books, despite objections from parents and students in the district.
“This policy is just a backhanded way to continue attacking members of the LGBTQ community and their allies by suggesting no age is appropriate to recognize the very existence of a portion of our student body and society,” said Leavenworth resident Eric Price during the Monday board meeting.
“Don’t be surprised when you get complaints about everything from Shakespeare to the Bible,” he added.
The policy states elementary curriculum and other materials should not contain any visual or written description of (view spoiler) The policy also states that “no materials in elementary libraries shall contain materials referencing or providing instruction on gender identity or sexual orientation.”
Under this broad criteria, stories such as “The Emperor’s New Clothes” wouldn’t be allowed, as well as books featuring LGBTQ+ characters.
When asked if this broad wording could subject all books at the elementary level to scrutiny and potential removal, district spokesman Jake Potter said he couldn’t speak to the specific language of the policy.
“As I read it and interpret it, it does appear that it’s more restrictive at the grade levels, at the younger levels, and gets a little less restrictive as it gets to young teen and young mature audiences of middle school and high school,” Potter said.
At the middle school level, the policy bars visual and written depictions of (view spoiler), except for classical works of art and educational health and science diagrams.
At the high school level, the policy states curriculum and other media collections should not contain written or visual depictions of (view spoiler)
Potter acknowledged the new language could increase the number of book challenges in the district. He said the biggest impact of the revised policy would likely be increased scrutiny on future library book purchases.
The policy was supported by departing board member Mike Powell, who previously has spoken against Scholastic book fairs because he believes they promote “s--ualized content.”
Leavenworth resident Brandi Bond, who has been a parent in the district for more than 20 years and formerly served as a library aide for the district, said the policy put the district in a bad light.
More M4L censors in Brevard County, Florida get 13 books banned just by reading passages out loud at a school board meeting (even after being asked not to).https://www.floridatoday.com/story/ne...
Brevard Moms for Liberty Chapter Chair Deborah Crisafulli
Maribelle Campos
School Board member Katye Campbell noted that only three of the books read were not already in the formal challenge process. Books in the formal challenge process are pulled from library and classroom shelves until they can be reviewed by the district's review committee.
"Most of these book were already in the formal challenge process, they are not on our shelves," she said, adding that people who want a book removed should follow the district policy. "Submit a challenge and it will be pulled. We're following statute, we're following our policy, we're going to keep following the policy
The newest hitlist includes Palestinian books. Probably Jewish books too but ONE couple in NYC checked out five children’s books about the Palestinian experience, vowing not to return them so as to protect the good people of New York from blatant “indoctrination.” According the NY Post:The books — for children as young as 3 — were prominently on display at the New York Public Library branch during “Read Palestine Week,” with several titles about Palestinians arranged in a “indigenous people’s” display with books about Native Americans.
Asaf Eyal told The Post: “It’s pretty easy to understand what they’re doing. They are trying to connect between these two identities, and make Israel and Jews look as if we are colonizers and not indigenous to our land.”
Placing these books next to the Native American books is a very obvious move. The library manager created this display very purposely,” Eyal, 47, added.
Among the showcased books were “We’re in This Together,” a title by anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour — which offered her view of the situation.
When Eyal’s wife confronted a library employee about the display, the staffer accused Israel of being an “apartheid” state.
The New York Public Library was recently defaced by Hamas-loving protesters who painted red hands at the flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman building. The vandalism could cost up to $75,000 to clean up.
Critics said taxpayer-backed non-profits like the NYPL are promoting their own agendas.
“These institutions are basically saying we don’t care about the public, we are doing what we think is good for you regardless of what you think,” said Jay Greene, a senior research fellow at the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation. “They are imposing their agenda on others with other people’s money and that’s wrong.”
At an Upper West Side library this week, the Post observed “These Olive Trees” on display along with other woke titles including “If You’re a Drag Queen and You Know It” and “Hear My Voice: The Testimonies of Children Detained at the Southern Border of the United States.”
“Our libraries seem shamefully intent on propagandizing young people. Whether it’s gender confusion or pro-Palestine propaganda, it’s supremely disappointing to see New York City libraries pushing highly politicized content like these books, which are obviously designed to feed children a false narrative about Israel and the Gaza situation,” said Queens GOP Councilwoman Vickie Paladino. “These book displays should be removed immediately and those responsible must be held accountable.”
The NYPL officials condemned the Roosevelt Island display and said they “addressed” the issue with branch staff.
https://nypost.com/2023/12/09/metro/n...
Now the best news I've heard all week (the big news here is a bridge linking the two parts of the state is structurally unsound and causing insane traffic. )'That’s really dangerous’: Newly formed Massachusetts group shipping banned books to Florida
Now a Boston-based group called Banned Books USA is launching an effort to help Floridians get access to classics like the “The Diary of Anne Frank” for free. All the recipient needs to do is provide an address in Florida and cover the cost of shipping.
“It’s like really good books are being pulled off the shelves,” said Paul English, a Boston-based entrepreneur and social activist who is co-founder of Banned Books USA. “It’s just concerning to me and some other people to say, do we really want the government having this control over its citizens to tell us what to read and what not to read?”
Titles they’ve provided for free include works by African American author and Nobel Prize winner Toni Morrison.
Others are about gender issues and sexual orientation.
“I think if people don’t know the history, history has a danger of repeating itself,” explained English. “We can go back to the days where there were a lot of restrictions on gays and Blacks, African Americans, and you know we shouldn’t be going backwards, we should be going forward.”
Boston 25 News made repeated requests to interview someone from Moms for Liberty, or to get a written statement. They would not provide either.
In an earlier interview with our sister station, WFTV-9 in Orlando, the organization’s co-founder Tiffany Justice said “These are our children, and we raise our children, and we don’t need the school district to raise our kids. What we do need the school district to do is teach our kids to read.”
English tells Boston 25 News that the group has already shipped a couple thousand books to Florida in their first few weeks.
They’re continuing to raise money and hope to expand to other states like Texas.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/loc...
Actually this is stupid. I contacted Florida Freedom to Read and got some addresses to send boxes of banned books to at my own expense! People shouldn't have to request the books, that doesn't make sense. The kids who need them still won't have access to them!
Mod
That staffer should have been named.
And the couple that removed the Palestinian themed books should also be named.
Not sure how to get those books back, but part of me wants the police involved.
If someone doesn't return a book to the library, the patron is fined per day and made to pay the price of the books so the library can replace them. It actually happens all the time for the same reasons. Librarians are prepared for that level of censorship and know what to do. The articles do name names. Asaf Eyal and his wife are the ones who removed the books. I doubt the police can or will get involved when there's much worse going on at the library.
Today some good newsTo fight so-called book bans, some states are threatening to withhold funding
On Jan. 1 , Illinois' new law meant to slow the rapid rise of books being challenged or pulled from library shelves goes into effect. And librarians across the country are watching to see if a similar law would work in their state – particularly when it comes to threatening funding for libraries.
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/14/121942...
Results of Literary Activism surveyIn the survey of parental perceptions of library workers, responses suggested that the majority of parents are comfortable with their children selecting their own materials in elementary school, followed by middle school, then high school. A small number are comfortable with children selecting their own material before kindergarten, while a minuscule number are never comfortable with their children selecting their own materials.
Parents overwhelmingly trust their children to select appropriate material, and part of it is because of their overwhelming trust in library workers to have materials on shelves that are age and developmentally-appropriate.
Nearly 90% of parents trusted their children to select appropriate material.
92% of parents surveyed have trust in librarians selecting and recommending age-appropriate material.
However...
15% of parents think no one under the age of 18 should have access to age-appropriate books with LGBTQ+ characters. That's age-appropriate, and LGBTQ+ characters are no longer deemed appropriate for any child to access. A smaller number of parents deeming it never appropriate for those under 18 to access books written for them on the themes of race/racism, social justice, or puberty/sexual education.
In almost 2:1 results, most parents thought mere access to books with LGBTQ+ characters had a neutral or negative effect on children.
In parts of Sumner County, Tenn. to even access entire parts of the public library, those under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian. They can't get a research book for a paper at the public library but can drive to that library and can access p___n right from the phones in their hand.
https://literaryactivism.substack.com...
More newsHENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A library director in Tennessee has been fired after the actor and evangelist Kirk Cameron accused him of “unkind pushback” to visiting celebrities during a conservative event last month, officials said.
Sumner County Mayor John Isbell told The Tennessean that the county’s library board voted 4-3 on Wednesday to fire Hendersonville library director Allan Morales. The mayor said Morales’ termination was “related to the Kirk Cameron event.”
Also in attendance were Missy Robertson of the reality TV show “Duck Dynasty” and former University of Kentucky women’s swimmer Riley Gaines. (ultra right-wing conservative, hateful celebrities)
https://apnews.com/article/kirk-camer...
The censors are flipping a lid and planning to boycott Barnes & Noble because the store now has a banned books section. Remember they said it was just schools and parents could buy the books for their kids and get them at the public library?https://twitter.com/veronikellymars/s...
WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WZTV) — The Wilson County Board of Education is looking at who can and cannot challenge books to be banned in the school system. School board members say this debate has become bigger than just books.As it currently stands, anyone in the county can challenge a book to be banned. Now, some want to change that to what they’re calling stakeholders – this includes teachers, principals, and students.
School board members say they’ve heard all the complaints about the way the process works. They’re also dealing with complaints about books in district libraries being “obscene” or “p___graphic.”
Board members believe if the books aren’t good enough or are too obscene to be in places like public libraries, then perhaps they should not be sold in retail stores where they can also be easily accessed by the same group of students.
"Again, although there may be individuals who have an opinion that these books do not have educational value, until the DA and law enforcement take action on that, I’m going to continue and listen to and trust the opinions and the recommendations of librarians and professionals in the field."
https://fox17.com/news/crisis-in-the-...
Niece #1, the banned book lover, started grade school in the Alfred-Almond School District. It serves a university and college community but also the surrounding area of right-wing extremists. They lived in Wellsville and then Alfred. She'll be happy when I tell her they choose NOT to ban books. Right now anyway._________________________
Alfred-Almond School District makes statement after recent “challenge”
https://wellsvillesun.com/blog/2023/1...
Last week, the Almond Public Library held a public meeting in response to a “book challenge.” The book “Grandpa’s Pride,” was challenged as morally offensive and requested that the book be removed. A public meeting was held and the public showed up. According to all accounts, several great speeches were made in favor of keeping the book on the shelf. The out-of-state residents who lodged the complaint and wanted the book removed left the meeting early, clearly upset after being overwhelmingly rebuked.
The Cuba Circulating Library make statement on upcoming attempt to remove library books
The Cuba NY Circulating Library will be the next public library to face a challenge over the book, “This Book is Gay,” and other books written for teens. The censorship effort has also included other literature in the library. Library director Tina Dalton released this statement on the effort to remove books from the shelves:
“On Nov. 18, a patron of the Cuba Circulating Library filed a Statement of Concern about Library Resources. This is the process which allows library patrons to share expressions of opinions concerning library materials selected or not selected for the library’s collection. After receiving the completed form, the Library Director and the Library Board, as needed, review the complaint to reach a conclusion about the suitability of the material for the Cuba Library’s collection. During this process, the item(s) in question stay in the library’s collection.
The specific items of concern listed are 1. “This Book is Gay” by Juno Dawson; 2. “The LGBTQ section of Teen books (books for teens)”; and 3. “I would like to see the library review every one of their teen books for content [not suitable for teenage children] and remove them.” The patron has asked that these books be moved from the teen section to the adult section of the library.
“This Book is Gay” is a dating and sex education guide for LGBTQ+ teens. It is written specifically for ages 14-17. It has been in the library’s collection since 2015 and has been checked out 25 times. The Cuba Library does not have an “LGBTQ section of Teen Books.” We have books throughout our teen fiction and nonfiction section that feature LGBTQ characters and address issues that affect the lives of these teens.
The Cuba Circulating Library is committed to the principle that all people enjoy constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and press. To this end, the library strives to offer a collection that represents the needs of our diverse community. Inclusion of an item in the collection does not mean that the library endorses any theory or statement contained in those materials and resources. While not every patron may agree with the viewpoints offered in some library material, the library has a responsibility to provide a balanced collection with access to material reflecting diverse ideas through which any side of a question, cause, or movement may be explored, if the material meets the outlined selection criteria. The balanced nature of the collection is reflected in the diversity of materials, not in an equality of numbers. Patrons are free to choose what they like from the collection, to reject what they do not like, but not to restrict the freedom of others to choose.
Furthermore, the Cuba Circulating Library is dedicated to free and equal access to information, knowledge, and learning. We strive to nurture a lifelong love of reading, discovery, and engagement among our diverse community through our collections, programs, and physical and virtual spaces. The books in our collection are for all members of our community.
A letter sent on behalf of Muslim families in St. Louis Park threatens legal action unless parents are notified and allow their children to opt out of classroom discussions about sexuality and LGBTQ+ topics.https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/new...
The letter, which was first reported by the Sahan Journal, was sent to the superintendent and school board by First Liberty Institute, a conservative Christian law firm based in Texas that fights First Amendment cases on religious freedom.
The families are described as devout Muslims who emigrated from Somalia over the past two decades. Their children, enrolled at Aquila Elementary School and Susan Lindgren Elementary School, were introduced to LGBTQ+ characters in picture books, which caused "significant confusion and distress," the letter states.
that several parents spoke out about their concerns in early October, and submitted an exemption request citing school board policy, which allows students to be excused from participating in controversial issues upon a parent's request. However the parents were told that the materials were part of the curriculum and opting out would not be possible.
Then on Oct. 24, three Somali Muslim women testified at a St. Louis Park school board meeting. They argued that they "respect the importance of affirming LGBTQ identities," but were "troubled" that the books urge "every child to delve into their own understanding of sexuality and gender identity." They asked to be informed in advance when materials related to LGBTQ+ identities would be included in the curriculum.
Though board members are typically barred from commenting during meetings, Sarah Davis responded by saying that "queer people exist, we're here, we're going to continue to be here."
"I want you to know what it feels like as a queer parent to sit here and listen to that," said Davis during the meeting. "To say that other children have to not be exposed to their family."
First Liberty Institute argues the district is violating multiple laws, including the First and 14th Amendments, the U.S. Constitution, Minnesota law, and district policies.
One such policy requires the school board to establish an advisory community — which includes parents — to help implement inclusive policies. However, the letter states that Somali Muslim parents were not given the opportunity to serve on the committee.
A separate sex education policy requires that parents can review all materials on the topic upon request, and that students may be excused from participating in discussion if a parent or guardian asks.
The law firm asks that the district informs parents prior to discussion of LGBTQ+ themes and allows children to opt out. It also asks that at least one Somali Muslim parent is included on committees that review curriculum within the district. Unless the district submits to the request, the firm said they will "pursue legal recourse."
In a newsletter published on Dec. 1, the district encouraged all parents and caregivers to participate in the District Instructional Programs Advisory Council, which reviews school curricula.
Our Subway Baby
Ho'onani: Hula Warrior
The hostile takeover of the Prattville (Ala.) public library continues with vacant seats filled by members of Clean Up Prattville.he Autauga County Commission has appointed four members to the Prattville library board in the last two weeks, leaving some residents critical that the commission has “stacked the board.”
“Read Freely Alabama is deeply disappointed by the Autauga County Commission’s decision to appoint three more Clean Up Alabama/Moms for Liberty affiliates to the Autauga-Prattville Public Library Board without any transparency to their constituents,” said Read Freely in a public statement released Thursday.
The accusation is not born out of thin air—the commission had planned to appoint former Prattville councilman Tony Moore two weeks ago before backlash ultimately led the commission to choose Doug Darr instead. Moore has been closely involved with Clean Up Prattville/Alabama for months as the two sides have clashed over how the library handles challenged content in sections intended for minors.
Hannah Rees, executive director of Clean Up Alabama, apparently believes the appointees will fall in line with the group’s agenda as well, posting to the “Moms for Liberty – Madison County” Facebook group Tuesday night that “We got three solid board members appointed by the county tonight. That means we will have 4 of the seven and have the majority!!! Waiting on two more appointments but likely these will be favorable if things go according to plan.”
Two of the three new nominees rejected the idea that they are in Clean Up’s corner.
“I don’t want anyone to tag me as one way or another; I want to know everything I can know,” said Logan Strock, who teaches agriculture at Billingsley High School. “To be frank, I don’t have a take yet. I’m glad I did get to hear both sides of the issue. I want to get on the baord before I have an opinion about anything.”
Strock said he is not joining the library board specifically because of the recent controversy, but because the library was a tremendous part of his childhood and played a key role in his passion for education.
Former Prattville councilman Ray Boles said he has never met Rees and doesn’t agree with her statement, at least as it pertains to himself.
“I really want everyone to just calm down. Our community is made of many different beliefs and many different people,” Boles said. “The library is not paid for by one group; the library is for everybody and should be welcoming and safe for everybody. I want to be part of making that happen.”
Boles also said he has no opinion on how the previous board handled the onslaught of challenges over the past six months.
County Commission Chairman Jay Thompson said he favored candidates who weren’t too extreme toward either side and thought the commission had struck a fair balance.
Boles said his intent is to be neutral, and said he is more focused on library funding than the recent spate of challenges.
“My agenda is to find out why the library not funded properly,” Boles said. “ I want to get into the books financially and then I’ll be more than happy to come back and tell the truth— good, bad or indifferent.”
“We do not want to give the impression we have banned a book; we don’t want CNN down here,” Boles said. “This library is for the community, it’s for everybody.
“I just ask this community on both sides to give us one year before y’all start throwing stones,” Boles said. “Give us one year, let us figure out the finances—the bigger problem is the finances—let’s fund this thing and move the library forward.”
One year from now, Darr will roll back off of the library board, as his appointment is for the one-year term that rotates between city and county. While Rees posted to the Moms for Liberty group that she expects upcoming appointments by the city will also be favorable to their agenda, a Dec. 4 email from Clean Up Alabama says the opposite.
https://www.alreporter.com/2023/12/08...
Concerned citizens in Tillamook, Oregon are going after LGBTQ+ books including picture books about trans kids. Shaming names:
Tracy Green of Oceanside
April Bailey of Neskowin
https://www.northcoastcitizen.com/opi...
Another county may leave the ALAEtowah County Republican Party passes resolution urging Alabama Public Library Service to withdraw from American Library Association
https://altoday.com/archives/55972-et...
Mod
Really problematic also a hugely slippery slope, as this kind of an attitude might also end up spilling over into college and university literature classes. Honestly, if I were teaching for example Thomas Mann's novels and novellas, I would hope that students enrolled in the course would not be able to sue me or the university because much of Mann's writing is homoerotic.
Clyde-Savannah Board of Education (NY) might be waiting months to know whether or not the five books they determined were appropriate for library shelves in the school can actually go back on shelvesAttorneys for the American Center for Law and Justice, a national law organization protecting socially conservative values that is representing Jacob Marchitell, pastor of Christ Community Church, and Wayne County Moms for Liberty, filed an appeal on Oct. 18 with Betty Rosa, commissioner of the state Department of Education. In the appeal, the lawyers asked her to annul the Sept. 13 school board decision to retain the books after the board had voted the previous month to remove them.
They also asked the commissioner to issue a stay that would have halted the school board’s reversal on the books temporarily.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Education, the stay request was denied Oct. 27.
“The parties have been given a 30-day extension to file all remaining pleadings, so the last due date before the file goes to the commissioner’s legal staff for review is currently Jan. 3, 2024,” the spokesperson said.
The department said the general turnaround time for a decision from that date is 6-8 months.
https://www.fltimes.com/news/decision...
Mod
Well, if these students are in a public school, there should be no grounds for them to sue. If they are that homophobic they should enrol their children in private religious schools or teach them at home.
Some good news, The school superintendent at Las Cruces Public Schools (NM) determined that Jack of Hearts (and Other Parts) could remain on shelves, and now the board has affirmed that decision.Meet the Texas Freedom to Read Project, a parental group advocating for access and an end to discriminatory policies against students in the state of Texas.
https://www.keranews.org/news/2023-12...
Brainerd High School (MN) will keep Empire of Storms on shelves.
The Williston High School library (ND) will not be banning 25 books, though some will come with parental alerts if students borrow them.
There's now a hotline in Tennessee that young people can call and ask for a copy of a book banned in their community.
Woohoo! Been waiting for that. I have books to send them.
Back to the bad newsThe Northern Cambria Public Library in a small borough Pennsylvania was the victim of unauthorized censorship. The board president Bill Lantzy, removed Out magazine (LGBTQIA+) from the collection because it was deemed “inappropriate” and allegedly contained nudity.
https://www.advocate.com/news/out-rem...
During a Nov. 28 meeting, board members expressed concerns about the magazine’s content, particularly its suitability for a younger audience. Library director Justin Brown challenged these concerns by demonstrating the educational and cultural value of the magazine. He argued that the publication serves a vital role in representing the LGBTQ+ community, but the board overlooked a perspective he felt was important in their decision-making process.
Another point of contention in the meeting was the board’s interpretation of what constituted nudity and inappropriate content. Brown presented various examples from Out, comparing them to similar or more explicit content found in widely accepted mainstream magazines like People and Vogue.
Brown confronted each board member about their involvement in the decision to remove the magazine, revealing that the decision was not an official board resolution but rather the actions of a few individuals, namely the library board's president Bill Lantzy and board members Gloria Salvia and Kathie Artley.
As the Northern Cambria Library board meeting unfolded, Brown repeatedly emphasized the established library policies and industry standards for selecting and retaining materials. He pointed out the library’s policy that empowers the director, not the board, to decide on the inclusion or removal of materials based on their educational and cultural value. Brown’s arguments highlighted a fundamental misunderstanding or disregard by some board members of these well-established norms within the library system.
Brown also highlighted the library’s role in fostering a diverse and inclusive collection. He argued that removing Out would be a disservice not only to the LGBTQ+ community but also to the library’s mission of providing access to a broad spectrum of ideas and viewpoints. Ultimately, after pleading his case and board members rejected his expertise, Brown said he would be resigning, a decision that was met with no resistance.
“Libraries should be safe havens for all ideas and identities, not places where censorship takes root under the guise of protecting the community,” Brown said.
Brown noted that the board’s actions could potentially expose the library to legal challenges based on First Amendment rights, highlighting the seriousness of their decision to remove the magazine without proper procedure or consideration of library policies.
Mod
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/green-buds-and-...
Censors of the week from Lexington-Richland Five School District in South Carolinadistrict resident Karena Phelps
board vice chair Matt Hogan
Object to A Court of Mist and Fury
reason? "obscenity"
https://www.postandcourier.com/columb...
Rebuttal from The chair of the review committee, district Supervisor of Library Media Services Carol Lunsford, that the book must be examined as a whole.
“The committee’s opinion was the dominant theme of “A Court of Mist and Fury” is found in its literary value,” Lunsford said, citing “age-appropriate themes” such as “good and evil” and a strong female character.
The book was found in three school libraries and was not assigned reading for any classes, Lunsford said.
Even after the board’s vote, it’s unclear exactly what will happen to the four books in Maas’ series other than “A Court of Mist and Fury,” which have not gone through the district’s policy-mandated book review process.
“There is no vehicle for the administration, through policy, to consider a book that has not gone through your (library materials) policy,” Superintendent Akil Ross told board members before they voted.
When asked after the meeting if the other four books would be removed from libraries the week of Dec. 11, Ross told The Post and Courier that he would “seek clarification” from the district’s lawyers on how to proceed.
Board secretary Kimberly Snipes, who voted against the motion to remove the series, said she was concerned that the decision could “open up the floodgates” of book challenges, and pushed back against the idea that removing the series would be a win for parents’ rights.
“It just seems to me that sometimes we only care about the parental rights if they’re the same rights, or same views, as yours,” she said.
Seaside, Oregoncensors object to the penguin book, And Tango Makes Three and sweet trans boy Aidan, “When Aidan Became a Brother"
City Councilor Steve Dillard who thinks these books are explicit!
Jennifer Reading, the director of the Seaside Public Library, said the library recently received requests for reconsideration of the two books. She said the Library Board will follow its policies and procedures and review the requests. The Library Board is expected to make a decision after a public meeting in early January.
https://www.seasidesignal.com/news/in...
In Williston, North Dakota schools, the censors cry parental choice, will keep some books on shelves but with parental controls.Karen Krenz
Chris Jundt, board president
Susan Draper
d Kimberly Hurst of Williston.
Andrea Placher, Williston City Library director, thanked the board for its decisions.
“I do commend all of you for taking the freedom to read and the First Amendment very seriously and letting these parents have a choice and letting these students have a choice as well,” said Placher.
https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/12/12/cit...
In Williston, North Dakota schools, the censors cry parental choice, will keep some books on shelves but with parental controls.Karen Krenz
Chris Jundt, board president
Susan Draper
d Kimberly Hurst of Williston.
Andrea Placher, Williston City Library director, thanked the board for its decisions.
“I do commend all of you for taking the freedom to read and the First Amendment very seriously and letting these parents have a choice and letting these students have a choice as well,” said Placher.
https://www.kfyrtv.com/2023/12/12/cit...
Children's Books
Books mentioned in this topic
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My Rainbow (other topics)
Butt or Face? Volume 3: Super Gross Butts (other topics)
The Day the Books Disappeared (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jodi Picoult (other topics)Sarah J. Maas (other topics)
Ellen Hopkins (other topics)
Jodi Picoult (other topics)
Scott Stuart (other topics)
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Fourth Circuit judges hear arguments over LGBTQ-inclusive books for Maryland elementary schoolers
Parents claim that forcing their kids to read books that promote tolerance of LGBTQ people violates their religious rights
https://www.courthousenews.com/fourth...
RICHMOND, Va. (CN) — The Fourth Circuit heard arguments Tuesday over whether Maryland parents, on behalf of their elementary school children, can opt out of reading their kids assigned books that include LGBTQ+ characters.
Montgomery County School Board introduced the Pride Storybooks, a collection that some parents argue is aimed at indoctrinating elementary school children into views on gender, sexual orientation and other themes that contradict the parents' religious beliefs.
The parents challenging the law, along with parents' rights organization Kids First, appealed after a federal court in Maryland denied their motion of preliminary injunction allowing them to opt out of reading the storybooks for their children.
U.S. Circuit Judge Steven Agee, a George H. W. Bush appointee, on Tuesday questioned whether enough evidence showed the Pride Storybooks infringed on parents' religious rights.
"That's sort of the dilemma we struggle with here," Agee said. "Is there sufficient evidence upon which to base a decision?"
Attorney Eric S. Baxter of the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, representing the plaintiff appellants, cited the Supreme Court ruling Wisconsin v. Yoder, in which the majority found Amish parents were allowed to remove their children from high school entirely to avoid exposure to ideas against their faith.
But U.S. Circuit Judge DeAndrea Gist Benjamin, a President Joe Biden appointee, distinguished this case because the Maryland book series is tied with a policy: the board's policy on promoting inclusion and respect.
Baxter shot back. "Our clients want to prompt inclusivity and respect," he told the three-judge panel. "School boards across the nation teach inclusivity and respect while still requiring opt-outs or opt-ins."
The books in the series included include "Uncle Bobby's Wedding" by Sarah Brannen, where a niece struggles with the fear of losing her favorite uncle after he marries his partner, and "Pride Puppy!" by Robin Stevenson, in which a family attends a Pride parade with a mischievous dog.
Characterizing the books' themes as having family life and human sexuality objectives, the parents argue Maryland law allows them to opt out. "The parents also believe that directing teachers to talk to children about sexuality, to invite children to question their gender identity, or to encourage young children to embrace gender transitioning is spiritually and emotionally harmful," the appellants' brief states.
However the board claims the books are intended only to teach English and language arts, and their themes represent the lives of many of its students and families.
"They do not prompt children to explore romantic feelings or question their sexual orientation or gender identity," the school board's brief states. "They are language arts instructional materials — approved by specialists for use in the ELA curriculum — that reflect the communities in which [Montgomery County Public Schools] students live."
Initially, the board did allow the parents to opt out, but it reversed course after claiming it became practically infeasible and disruptive to instruction.
Attorney Alan Schoenfeld of Wilmer Hale represented the board during Tuesday's arguments.
"Exposure to the existence of LGBT people and LGBT families through these texts are not constitutionally cognized burden," Schoenfeld argued before the panel of judges.
U.S. Circuit Judge Marvin Quattlebaum Jr., a Donald Trump appointee, asked Schoenfeld whether the curriculum dismisses religious beliefs.
Schoenfeld argued the books teach tolerance in the name of civility, rather than forcing a viewpoint. He pointed to an example where a student calls another student weird for identifying as a different gender than their sex assigned at birth and how the materials merely aim to stop students from using language that's hurtful to LGBTQ people.
Dozens of professors, state attorney generals and civil rights organizations submitted amicus curiae briefs for both sides.
The Fourth Circuit will review the lower court's finding that the storybooks were unlikely to result in the indoctrination of the children, prevent the parents from raising their children following their religious views or coerce the parents or their children to violate or change their religious beliefs.
The lower court also disputed the plaintiffs' comparison to Wisconsin v. Yoder, finding that Amish parents were forced either to abandon belief and be assimilated into society or to migrate to some other, more tolerant region. It pointed to a former associate Supreme Court justice's opinion from 1948, McCollum v. Board of Education, a case concerning the separation of church and state.
"If we are to eliminate everything that is objectionable to any [religious group] or inconsistent with any of their doctrines, we will leave public schools in shreds," former Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, a Franklin D. Roosevelt appointee, said, as quoted in the lower court ruling. "Nothing but educational confusion and a discrediting of the public school system can result from subjecting it to constant lawsuits."