Virginia School Board Member Takes Oath on LGBTQ+ Books Instead of Bible
OAN’s Abril Elfi
3:25 PM – Wednesday, December 20, 2023
A school board member in Virginia was sworn in for his second term on the school board on a stack of banned LGBTQ+ books.
Karl Frisch was sworn into the Fairfax county School Board for his second term and swapped the bible for a stack of LGBTQ+ books that have been banned in surrounding schools for “sexually controversial content.”
“He was sworn in on a stack of the five LGBTQ-themed books most frequently banned by other school systems,” Frisch’s campaign website announced. “Currently, the Board’s Vice Chair, Frisch becomes its Chair on January 1. He is the first LGBTQ+ person elected to local office in Virginia’s largest county and one of only four openly LGBTQ+ school board members in the Commonwealth out of roughly 800 members.”
Frisch was sworn in by his male partner who was holding the stack of books which included, All Boys Aren’t Blue, Gender Queer, Flamer, Lawn Boy and The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
Several books, including Flamer and Gender Queer, have contentious sexual imagery or other elements that have led to other school districts banning them.
Flamer was penned by the distinguished writer and artist Mike Curato. Curato’s work, a semi-autobiographical graphic novel set in 1995, was published in 2020. The protagonist of the tale is teased at a Boy Scout summer camp for “acting in a manner considered stereotypical of gay men.”
Characters in the graphic novel talk about erections, masturbation, penis size, and pornography. There’s also an illustration of teenage boys in their underwear.
Similar to this, Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer has drawn a lot of criticism from parents in America for being kept in public school libraries across the country and for discussing and depicting oral sex as well as masturbating.
Frisch’s ceremony comes after the newly elected president of the Pennsylvania school board took office with her hand over a stack of divisive novels in early December.
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What role do supporters believe LGBTQ+ literature plays in education?
A Virginia school board member, Karl Frisch, made a significant statement during his recent swearing-in ceremony. Instead of taking the traditional oath on a Bible, he opted to be sworn in on a stack of banned LGBTQ+ books. This powerful gesture has gained attention and sparked a conversation about inclusivity and diversity in education.
Frisch, who was elected to the Fairfax County School Board for his second term, replaced the religious text with a stack of five LGBTQ+ themed books. These books have been banned in surrounding schools due to their “sexually controversial content.” Among the titles included in the stack were “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” “Gender Queer,” “Flamer,” “Lawn Boy,” and “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.”
Frisch’s campaign website proudly announced his intention to be sworn in on these books, stating that he was the first LGBTQ+ person elected to local office in Virginia’s largest county. He is also one of only four openly LGBTQ+ school board members in the Commonwealth out of roughly 800 members.
The swearing-in ceremony took place with Frisch’s male partner holding the stack of books. This act symbolized their commitment to advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in education.
The books in question, such as “Flamer” and “Gender Queer,” have faced controversy and censorship due to their explicit sexual imagery and discussions. Some parents and school districts have expressed concerns about these books being available in public school libraries.
“Flamer,” written by Mike Curato, is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel that explores the experiences of a protagonist who is teased at a Boy Scout summer camp for his perceived behavior as a gay man. The novel contains conversations about topics such as erections, masturbation, penis size, and pornography. It also includes an illustration of teenage boys in their underwear.
Similarly, Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” has faced criticism for its depiction and discussion of oral sex and masturbation. Parents across the country have raised objections to this book being available in public school libraries.
Frisch’s ceremony follows a similar act by the newly elected president of a Pennsylvania school board, who took office while placing her hand over a stack of divisive novels.
This demonstration by Frisch and other elected officials has ignited a debate about the role of LGBTQ+ literature in education. Supporters argue that these books provide representation and support for LGBTQ+ students, helping to foster an inclusive and accepting environment. On the other hand, opponents believe that the explicit content in some of these books is inappropriate for young readers.
Regardless of one’s position on the matter, Frisch’s gesture has brought attention to the importance of diverse literature and the need for respectful dialogue about its inclusion in school libraries. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ representation and equal rights in education and society as a whole.
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