The Leon County School Board is set to decide whether to keep the book “I am Billie Jean King,” on school library shelves. The book is the first in the district to face a parental challenge.
An independent arbiter is suggesting the book stay in place.
The challenge was brought by a parent who said the book violates state law because it references sexual orientation which they believe isn’t age or developmentally appropriate. In the novel, tennis great Billie Jean King writes about when she realizes she’s gay, and explains that being gay means a same-sex attraction.
Retired principal and designated arbiter D.J. Wright notes the state has a carve out for incidental references, and that the book’s value outweighs any perceived problems. The Leon County School Board will vote on the issue during its meeting on Tuesday.
Should the board decide to keep the book, the challenge could get bumped up to the state.
In a separate action, the school district recently removed five novels at the behest of Mom’s for Liberty which argued the books included pornography. The group has put out a list of a dozen others it believes should be taken off school library shelves as the district works to review its library books and classroom materials.
The decision to remove books suggested by Moms for Liberty has prompted another organization to argue the Bible should be removed as well for its sexually explicit content.
Florida lawmakers have approved new laws and rules in recent years that restrict instruction and exposure to sexuality, gender identity and other topics in the state's public schools. The state has created new laws making it easier for parents to view school library books and classroom materials, and to challenge them.
