Gender Queer: Illinois students rally to defend LGBTQ book as school board hears objections over its content

CNN — The increasingly heated debate over the presence of certain books in school libraries was aired at an Illinois school board meeting this week. Gregg Abbott called on the state’s school boards to remove books he described as “pornography” after at least two state lawmakers asked officials to investigate books in schools – including “Gender Queer.” Downers Grove student Josiah Poynter, an 18-year-old senior, said the book should be included in the school library because inclusion was important to young people. As for the objections, Thiele told CNN that the book would remain in circulation “while we work through the process to determine if the title should remain in our libraries.” Last month, “Gender Queer” was singled out by a Texas Republican lawmaker who called on the state’s Attorney General to investigate a list of LGBTQ books in schools to determine if the books give students access to pornography. “This book touches on subjects that are not appropriate for school libraries and may even be criminal for its representation of minors participating in sexual activities,” Jeff Cason said in a statement in October. In response to certain LGBTQ books being censored, Kobabe told CNN, “I hope that all of this will really galvanize, librarians, and parents and students who are against censorship.” Kobabe also expressed appreciation for high school students attending board meetings in support of the book and becoming politically active.