One of the most banned controversial books in the United States, according to The New York Times, has been removed from Columbus City Schools high school library shelves.
The autobiography, Gender Queer: A Memoir, was published in 2019 and is both written and illustrated by Maia Kobabe. The 240-page book tells Kobabe’s story from adolescence to adulthood covering sensitive topics such as gender identity, masturbation, menstruation, and navigating the world as someone who considers “themself” nonbinary.
The book is full of cartoon illustrations picturing graphic LGBTQ sexual experiences. One drawing depicts a boy giving oral sex to another boy. Another image includes an illustration of a bloody pad, several drawings of full-body nudity, and even a discussion about orgasms and sex toys accompanying a depiction of a vibrator.
The Ohio Star contacted all seven members of the Columbus City Schools Board of Education and the District’s Director of Communications Jacqueline Bryant in regard to this issue.
Bryant acknowledged that the book had been ordered and received last week as part of a collection of diverse books for the library but has since been removed.
Bryant told The Star that it was a mistake that the book even came to Columbus City Schools.
“The committee created a list of books they had vetted; however, some titles were unavailable. As a result, the Gender Queer title was selected as a replacement without the committee’s appropriate vetting process before receiving it,” Bryant said in an e-mail.
Amazon sells the book and disclaims that it’s material intended for readers 18 years and older.
“While we want our students to have diverse book titles, we do not want sexually explicit content in our book offerings. We will continue to ensure all book selections follow strict criteria for developing our diverse book collections, including the proper vetting and review of each book for compliance with guidelines set forth by the committee,” Bryant told The Star.
Lawmakers such as State Representatives Diane Grendell (R-Chesterland) and Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) are working diligently to stop similar indoctrination and to promote education in Ohio schools.
Last June, HB 327 was introduced, a bill which would prohibit school districts, schools, teachers, and state and local entities, from promoting divisive concepts.
“The purpose of this bill is to provide equal and non-discriminatory education opportunities to students while preventing further division among Americans,” Grendell said in the press release.
Despite the claims that Columbus City Schools procured this book in error, schools throughout the state have had a recent push to include gender ideology in Ohio classrooms such as Hilliard City School’s LGBTQ “I’m Here” badges being worn by classroom faculty and adult staff with a QR code accessing explicit sexual information on the back side.
Parents and some educators across the state have been pushing back against the “woke” ideology in the classroom.
Lisa Chaffee, Director of Ohio Parents Rights and Education, told The Ohio Star in a previous interview, “This is a parents’ rights issue. We as parents have a right to choose what content is provided to our children and at what age.”
Protect Ohio Children urges Ohio parents to use their right to examine any textbook, workbook, software, video, or other instructional materials being used by the district in connection with the instruction of their child in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.60.
“Children have a legal right to an academic education that protects their innocence, free from comprehensive sexuality education and radical indoctrination,” Protect Ohio Children states.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected].
Image “CCS School Library” by Columbus City Schools.
