[Mary The Welder(Admin)]

Sheboygan South High School in Wisconsin has removed three books from its library after receiving public outrage over sexual content. The books, which were removed by the school’s principal, Kevin Formolo, are the LGBT memoir “Gender Queer” and the graphic novels “Fun Home” and “Are You My Mother?” The decision was made after a school board meeting on Tuesday night where opposing views were expressed.

Controversy over removal of books

During the school board meeting, some attendees voiced their opposition to the decision, stating that removing the books sends a harmful message to gay, transgender, and nonbinary students. Kelly Holstine, a participant in the meeting, said, “Giving into these challenges and pulling these books from our schools’ libraries is nothing short of discrimination.” Supporters of the decision, however, argued that sexual content is inappropriate in a school setting, with John Paul stating that “For those that have seen the images, they are very disturbing, even for adults to see.”

Books removed from library

The three books, which were removed from the Sheboygan South High School library, have been the subject of controversy in the past. According to the American Library Association (ALA), “Gender Queer” has been banned from shelves in more states than any other book. The graphic memoir explores the author’s journey of identifying outside the gender binary. “Fun Home” and “Are You My Mother?” are graphic novels by Alison Bechdel, which explore themes of family, identity, and sexuality.

Final thoughts

The removal of books from libraries is a contentious issue, and opinions are often polarized. While some argue that certain materials are not appropriate for young readers, others believe in the importance of free speech and access to diverse perspectives. In this case, the decision to remove the books from the Sheboygan South High School library has sparked a debate about the balance between protecting students from explicit content and promoting intellectual freedom.