LTHS Mom Reads Steamy Passages From School's Books

LA GRANGE, IL — Residents were asked not use vulgar or obscene language during public comments at last week's Lyons Township High School board meeting.

The first speaker did not follow that request.

La Grange resident Laura Tussing wanted to make a point. Apologizing to the students present, she read steamy passages from two books, one of which she said was on the summer reading list and the other she said was on the shelves of the South Campus library.

See video: La Grange resident Laura Tussing reads steamy passages at a Lyons Township High School board meeting.

Tussing did not give the title for the first book. A Patch review of the passages she read indicate it is "Monday's Not Coming," which was on the summer reading list.

One line in the book read, "She did your homework and you ate her (female genitals)," and another described a boy's and girl's sexual positions.

Another passage: "I took a deep breath before dropping down on my shaky knees, the ground cold as I reached for his belt buckle. Michael gently pushed my hands away, but I didn't want to stop. If I do this, they'll stop calling me a lesbian."

The other book was "All Boys Aren't Blue," a gay coming-of-age story. She said it was on the library shelves.

Tussing read a passage about two boys who had a sexual encounter and who were apparently cousins. She continued with another passage, "I did my best to act dominant like my favorite porn star."

Tussing told the board, "Both of these books that I'm mentioning are riddled with, again I apologize, 'f---,' 'sh--,' 'ho' and other salty language. Is this what qualifies as quality literature today?"

She asked how the school could go against its policies and approve "this pornography for our children to read and to what end."

"I want an answer, and you owe it to the students and this school," Tussing said. "How did you expect any of the parents to find this acceptable? If you think this is appropriate and of high literary value, then I welcome you to come to the next board meeting with printed excerpts and handouts and read it out loud, so it's on record, and defend the educational value."

She continued, "In addition, please let us know if you'll be accepting students' English papers that include literary phrases that are in the book such as 's--king d---,' 'f------, and damn ho."

Under the policy, each public commenter is given three minutes. Tussing went almost another minute, despite requests for her to stop.

The audience applauded Tussing.

She was never asked to stop using vulgar and obscene language. First Amendment lawyers advise that public comment rules must be content neutral because of people's free speech rights.