“Gender Queer: A Memoir” explores the author’s real-life journey of gender identity and sexual orientation. (WGME)
TURNER (WGME) – Another Maine school district has decided to keep a controversial book in its high school library.
Tara Levesque, who is a middle school parent, complained about “Gender Queer: A Memoir,” which has been banned in some schools and supported in others in Maine and the U.S.
The book is a coming-of-age story about the author’s life and their exploration of gender and sexuality.
Levesque says she learned about the graphic novel through social media and then confirmed it was available at the high school.
When she couldn’t come to an agreement with the librarian about what should happen with the book, that’s when this complaint moved forward in November.
A district committee reviewed the book and recommended that the book remains at the high school library and that it not be required reading. Levesque appealed that, which sent the issue to a school board vote.
Some people are opposed to the book because of its blunt depictions of sex. They worry it is too mature for children.
“I have two kids in the district and I don’t want them to be around this kind of imagery,” said Jimmy Childs, who was opposed to the book.
So far, more people have spoken out in support of the book and keeping it at the high school. There are about two dozen people here. 12 people have spoken up about this issue. pic.twitter.com/TianJLId0e
— Mal Meyer (he/they) (@MalWGME) January 27, 2023
“Some people are framing this a LGBT issue when it isn’t. If it was heterosexual inappropriate conduct it would be exactly the same,” said Chrystal Nicholas, a parent who is opposed to the book being at the school library.
But others in the community, including teachers, spoke out in support of queer and questioning kids.
“Book banning prevents children from forming their own identities while also maintaining how we view identity,” said Marlene Aguilar, a Spanish teacher at the high school.
The high school’s librarian says the book has been checked out, but more so recently because of the controversy. She believes taking it away would signal to kids their identities need to be hidden.
“I cannot imagine a more painful destructive message to send to a young person,” said Judith Lashman, a librarian.
Some board members agreed that students need to be supported and noted that parents can prevent their kids from checking out certain books already.
The board has just voted to keep it at the high school and not have it be required reading. It was a 5 to 3 vote. One member abstained. pic.twitter.com/axYUbA9wU4
— Mal Meyer (he/they) (@MalWGME) January 27, 2023
There is a Google form online for district parents to fill out if they do not want their child to access a particular book in their school’s library.
That same form says at no time will the wishes of one child’s parents to restrict his/her reading or viewing of a particular item infringe on other parents’ rights to permit their child to read or view the same material.
One school board member called the book’s content disgusting and another compare the graphic novel to an NC-17 rated movie.
The school board voted 5-3 to keep the book with the parameters, with one member abstaining.
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By: Miss Cherry May Timbol – Independent Reporter
