TAMPA -- The Hillsborough School Board votes to remove a controversial book from all middle school libraries.
The board called a special meeting Tuesday after an objector appealed decisions to add and keep the book titled "This Book is Gay" at Pierce Middle School. It heard from opponents and supporters of the book. Many of those asking for its removal quoted explicit descriptions of sex acts and advice for using dating apps such as Grindr. Others pointed out state laws on exhibiting pornography to minors, and some reminded board members that Governor DeSantis had specifically targeted board members for next year's election. "We're here to remind you of Governor DeSantis' recent accusation that Hillsborough County has unlawful, pornographic books in school libraries," said local activist Terry Kemple. Other speakers reminded the board that abstinence is the state sex education standard and that no book should be promoting sexual activity to students. Others objected to the term "book ban", calling it a way to "marginalize" parents.
Supporters of "This Book is Gay" included students at Leto High School, where many Pierce students go after graduating. A media board at Pierce voted to add the book after former students said they wanted more books with LGBTQ themes. Kathleen Daniels of the Florida Association for Media in Education, which represents school librarians, says the book actually advises minors to avoid hookup apps. "If it were pornography, it would be illegal to read in a public setting," Daniels said, then added, "I don't see anyone being carted away in handcuffs" for reading from the book.
During board discussion, members zeroed in on the age-appropriate aspect, as Superintendent Addison Davis recommended a complete ban in Hillsborough middle schools. The school board attorney warned that could be the basis for a legal challenge, as the public meeting notice had only covered one school. Board members went ahead and voted anyway, 4-3 in favor of removal.
Board member Patti Rendon noted that the supporters included members of the LGBTQ community and apologized for any appearance that gays were being singled out. "(I would be just as upset) if this was reversed, and it was about Tinder and... telling my 15 year old (daughter) where to find partners," she told the audience.
The book's author, Juno Dawson, has called complaints "an organized attack".
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