Calif. parents claim student was failed for not reading 'Gender Queer,' demand book be removed

*WARNING: The embedded video below includes descriptions of sexual content.*

DANVILLE, Calif. (CITC) — A California community is divided over whether a sexually explicit book should remain in a school district's library after a student allegedly received a failing grade for refusing to read it.

The San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) joined districts across the United States when concerns were raised over "Gender Queer" Tuesday. The memoir,which topped the American Library Association's (ALA) list of the top ten most challenged books in 2021, has been widely criticized by parents for its sexual content.

"Gender Queer" has been removed from school districts in several states, including Pennsylvania and Texas, but author Maia Kobabe has maintained that the explicit drawings and scenes were necessary in order to convey how "gender identity can impact every facet of life."

However, some SRVUSD parents disagree.

"Providing graphic pictures and instructions on how to have anal sex is plain and simple pornography," one parent said during Tuesday's meeting. "And why would we subject our children to this?"

The debate was reportedly prompted by a now-deleted video claiming that a SRVUSD high school student received a zero on an assignment after refusing to read "Gender Queer." One teacher seemingly dismissed the allegations Tuesday, saying that the community outrage was "started on false pretenses."

A spokesperson for SRVUSD told The National Desk (TND) that the district has yet to receive any formal complaints connected to the allegations.

Others insisted that "Gender Queer," along with other challenged books of similar themes, remain in district libraries. They argued that high schoolers "have access to sexual content" on their personal devices, and an outright ban on these materials harms certain students.

"The books have a literary merit, especially for teens who are questioning their sexuality or gender," another parent said. "If you take anything and remove all humanity from it, it can sound objectionable."

SRVUSD board members responded to the concerns, with one member saying that reading "Gender Queer" allowed her to better understand the "journey" of her transgender child.

"For some people, they may not see themselves in it," board member Laura Bratt said. "But for those students and those families that that resource is so meaningful for, it's really important and valuable for there to be a safe place for them to find that book, to discover that book and to read it and to learn from it."

Board member Shelley Clark echoed the need to keep such resources available, but she noted that parents are "the ultimate authorities on what content their children partake in."

"I'm not trying to usurp that authority," Clark said. "I would never want to force -- a student should never be forced to read a book that they are uncomfortable with or their parents don't approve of."

With some board members questioning the district's current material complaint policies, SRVUSD Superintendent Dr. John Malloy stressed that members may add that discussion to future agendas.

It is not immediately clear if "Gender Queer" will undergo a formal review process by SRVUSD.

"The books in our libraries are consistent with the current Board approved process and align with the educational philosophy and strategic directions/goals of the district," a SRVUSD spokesperson told TND, noting that " age appropriateness, author reputation, overall quality and value" are all considered when selecting library books.