LGBTQ-Themed Memoir 'Gender Queer' Stirs Debate In District 99

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — A group of parents is demanding Community High School District 99 ban the graphic novel "Gender Queer" from the libraries at Downers Grove North and South high schools. Several people spoke in opposition of the Maia Kobabe memoir while in attendance at Monday's school board meeting, asserting that the book contains pornographic material. A number of students and other residents contended Kobabe's book should remain in the library for inclusionary and educational purposes.

District 99 Superintendent Dr. Hank Thiele read a statement prior to the public comment portion of the meeting, that said, in part:

"The book 'Gender Queer' meets the criteria for inclusion in our library under the guidelines in our collection development policy. This is an optional book and not part of any course or required reading."

He said the district had previously received two forms expressing objection to the inclusion of "Gender Queer." Thiele said the district is currently in the process that will determine "this community's determination if this resource should remain in our collection."

In between public speakers, Monday's meeting was often punctuated by boos, shouts and cheers that were met with admonishment from Thiele, who said the meeting would adjourn if "booing or threatening language" continued. Others in attendance carried signs or wore masks that read, "No Porn" or depicted intimate sexual scenes from Kobabe's memoir.

"Gender Queer" follows Kobabe's "journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears," per publishers Simon & Schuster.

Julia Hanson, a junior at Downers Grove North (DGN), said, "[p]arts of this book were uncomfortable to read, but I expected that.”

Hanson continued, "The books in our library are intended to entertain and educate. With 'Gender Queer,' I felt that was accomplished for me.”

• Related: LGBTQ-Themed Books Removed From High School Libraries

"Someone who picks up this book will finally feel like they’ve been understood or, as I did, they will learn to put themselves in others’ shoes," she added.

"Inclusion matters to young people," DGN senior and football player Josiah Poynter said. "This is why we must have this book in our library."

Poynter cited the books "Montana 1948" and "It," saying, "It’s not like we haven’t been given books with sex in them before."

Resident Jim Devitt gestured at signs in the audience showing scenes from "Gender Queer."

“Tell me how these pictures are educational in any purpose," Devitt said, "This is pornography, plain and simple, and it does not belong in our schools.”

Terry Newsome, another District 99 resident, called the graphic novel "a child pornographic sketchbook."

“Instead of wasting our time, our money indoctrinating our children with CRT (critical race theory), equity and disgusting pornographic material, you should focus our tax dollars on our children’s education: teach them reading, writing and arithmetic," Newsome said.

Newsome demanded board members remove the book immediately or “resign in disgrace.”

He said, "These graphic images are totally unacceptable, regardless of their gender or sexuality."

A spokesperson for District 99 did not immediately respond to Patch's request for additional comment Tuesday evening.

Do you think the book "Gender Queer" should be permitted in schools? Let us know in the comments.

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