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Banned books
6 | news Staples library display incites community response at BOE meeting
Lilly Weisz ‘23 Creative Director
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Nine Westport residents spoke on the controversy surrounding Staples High School (SHS) Library’s Banned Books Week display during the public comment section of the Board of Education (BOE) meeting on Oct. 3. Some attendees sought to challenge the books featured in the display, especially “This Book is Gay,” “Lawn Boy” and the graphic novel “Genderqueer.”
The BOE’s public comment differs from an official appeal to the BOE. Such an appeal would require completing nine steps out of a 10-step process to challenge materials.
So, while the district has received nine seperate formal challenges to eight of the books on display—including one challenge to all books on the display—none of the challengers have taken step two of the procedure, which is to reach out to talk in-person with the Staples library media special-
“ists. Step three would be to report any resolutions decided by the library media specialists to the principal.
“I’m still waiting on an official challenge,” SHS Principal Stafford W. Thomas Jr. said.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Each BOE meeting begins with 15 minutes allotted for public comment, in which residents can discuss issues not on the agenda. The residents speaking against the books expressed discomfort and displeasure that these books, which contain sexually explicit scenes and information, were available in the SHS library and advertised by the Banned Books Week display. One of the books in contention, “This Book is Gay,” includes guidance in navigating sexual encounters in the LGBTQIA+ community, and includes an explanation that the book’s purpose is to provide a same-sex version of the sex education taught in schools, including explicit diagrams with the intent to educate. The sex education section begins with a content warning for younger readers and anyone who may feel uncomfortable. A second book on display, “Genderqueer,” contains images of an adult discovering aspects of their sexuality. The graphic novel is a coming-of-age memoir. One parent, Camilo Riano, referenced that “Genderqueer,” contained images of an adult sexually touching a child. Inklings confirmed that the book does depict an adult and minor engaging in a sexual act. It’s in reference to content in the classic Greek text “Plato’s Symposium.” The context for the scene in the graphic novel is an imagined teenage fantasy and does not discuss themes of nor promotes acts of pedophilia. Other residents were concerned about the active role librarians played in distributing these materials to the student body. “It’s now one thing to have books available. It’s another to market them so aggressively,” Westport parent Alma Sarelli said. “I’m not saying this because some of these books may address the perspective of one sexual orientation or another. I’m saying this because a school is not the same as a commercial or adult bookstore.”
A smaller number of Westport residents approached the podium to speak in favor of the Banned Books Week display. Parent Brian McGunagle, President and founder of Westport PRIDE, a community group for LGBTQIA+
people and “allies, stated that he only spoke on behalf of himself and not for any organization.
“It is very important for our children to be exposed to different lifestyles and ways of life,” McGunagle said. Ultimately, the Chair adjourned the public comment section with a recess from the meeting after a board member spoke out of turn multiple times and a community member questioned the presence and legitimacy of this Inklings reporter covering the events of the meeting.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
At the start of the general meeting, BOE Vice Chair Liz Heyer sought to add an agenda item to publicly discuss the “treatment of materials in our school library that encourage harmful and unsafe behavior.” The motion fell short of the two-thirds vote needed to pass.
“Avoiding public discussion can often escalate an issue unnecessarily,” Heyer said.
“I felt it was important to address the issue being raised by the community members we represent and to signal to the community that some Board members did feel strongly about discussing the issue.” Adding the item would mean both BOE members and public attendees would have been able to engage in discussion over the Banned Books Week display. Without an agenda item, BOE members are prohibited from discussing a topic. BOE Secretary Neil Phillips voted against the motion, explaining that the BOE was only made aware of the controversy less than a week before the general meeting and he felt unprepared to publicly comment. In addition, he said the BOE only received 10-13 emails on the subject, mentioning how past issues have attracted many more emails, and thus, warranted the A school is not primary focus of the Board. “We have typically apthe same as a commercial or proached most agenda items with supporting documentation provided before a meetadult bookstore.” ing,” Phillips said. “To better inform the board members as -Alma Sarelli, well as the public, and for a Westport parent topic as sensitive as this one, I would have expected no less.” The board remains divided on the issue, and, as of the writing of this article, banned books are not on the agenda for the next general meeting on Oct. 25.
It is very important for our children to be exposed to different lifestyles.” -Brian McGunagle, Westport parent Scan the QR code to read the full version on the Inklings website.
The library’s display included the following top 10 most contested books of 2021.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007)
By Sherman Alexie A teenage boy decides to leave his home, the Spokane Indian Reservation, to go to a nearly all-white public school.
All Boys Aren’t Blue (2020)
By George M. Johnson A coming-of-age memoir about the author’s experiences growing up as an African-American member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The Hate U Give (2017)
By Angie Thomas
An African-American teenager grapples with racism, police brutality and social activism.
Lawn Boy (2018)
By Jonathon Evison A Mexican-American considers the hardships he has faced in his life as he enters a phase of self-discovery.
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out (2014)
By Susan Kuklin A series of stories written by transgender and gender-neutral teenagers recounting their experiences.
The Bluest Eye (1970)
By Toni Morrison An African-American girl who fights to combat racism, family struggles, and her own negative self-image amid the Great Depression.
Gender Queer (2019)
By Maia Kobabe An autobiographical graphic novel about Maia Kobabe (e/em/ eir)’s struggle with eir sexuality and gender.
Me, Earl and the Dying Girl (2012)
By Jesse Andrews An introverted teenager befriends a classmate who has just been diagnosed with lukemia.
Out of Darkness (2015)
By Ashley Hope Pérez A teenage love story between a Mexican girl and an African-American boy amidst the 1937 New London school explosion in Texas.
This Book is Gay (2014)
By Juno Dawson A collection of testimonials from LGBTQIA+ individuals, reflecting on childhood experiences and answering readers’ questions.
