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Obscene Books Reported in Dallas School Libraries

Libraries
A boy reaches for a book on a bookshelf | Image by diignat/Shutterstock

Books that some parents are calling obscene continue to be made available to students in campus libraries at Dallas Independent School District (DISD).

Tami Brown Rodriguez told The Dallas Express that she and other parents and community members have been attending DISD school board meetings for months to voice their concerns and demand the removal of the allegedly obscene materials.

“I personally have been at almost every DISD meeting for a year-and-a-half pleading with the trustees to take action,” she said.

Rodriguez showed The Dallas Express a long list of titles that allegedly contain sexually explicit content, and even “pornographic” material, which the district currently has available on library shelves.

The Dallas Express confirmed the availability of many of these books using DISD’s online library catalog, including:

  • Being Jazz: My Life as a Transgender Teen by Jazz Jennings;
  • Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark;
  • Beloved by Toni Morrison;
  • Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov; and
  • Queer, There, and Everywhere: 23 People Who Changed the World by Sarah Prager.

While Rodriguez claimed that trustees have not reached out to her or other community members over the matter, some of the books they have been protesting have been pulled off DISD library shelves after sometimes-dramatic confrontations at school board meetings.

Two works in particular drew the attention of Rodriguez and her friend Cyrena Nolan: Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe and Jack of Hearts (And Other Parts) by Lev A.C. Rosen.

As previously reported in The Dallas Express, Gender Queer is a graphic novel focused on “gender identity” and sexuality. It contains at least one illustration of two adolescents engaging in a sex act with a sex toy.

Rodriguez and Nolan printed the image out on a poster and brought it to a DISD school board meeting in October 2021. Ironically, according to Rodriguez, officers with the DISD Police Department stopped them at the door.

“DISD police said it was pornography and would not let us into the meeting,” said Rodriguez.

On another occasion, concerned community members read a passage from Jack of Hearts during the public comment portion of a board meeting. Rodriguez said the passage described a young boy learning to seduce an adult into having anal sex.

“If it had been a movie, it would be rated X. It’s offensive and completely inappropriate for our children,” Rodriguez said of the passage.

Both Gender Queer and Jack of Hearts currently do not appear in a search of the DISD library catalog. It is unclear when the titles were pulled from shelves.

Widespread controversy over what materials are appropriate for students in public schools led Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath to release new guidance in April 2022 on how school boards should select library books. The move followed a request by Gov. Greg Abbott for the agency to configure a standard for screening for obscene content, as previously reported in The Dallas Express.

Rodriguez said the DISD Board of Trustees has yet to adopt the TEA’s new guidelines.

While many books may indeed contain sexually-graphic content, some feel that the movement to remove obscene books from public school libraries is an attempt to suppress any support or mention of LGBTQ people and relationships.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas recently filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, claiming that the movement “seeks to erase transgender and non-binary identities.”

In a complaint against Keller ISD, which adopted some of the policies Rodriguez is advocating for, the ACLU wrote:

“[Such guidelines seek] to suppress … all access to information [in public schools] that it is possible for a person to be transgender or non-binary. In other words, the policy attempts to erase the existence of transgender and non-binary individuals … [barring] for every student in the district, access to information about the existence and experiences of transgender and non-binary people, and access to any work of literature that features a transgender or non-binary individual — even if a student’s parents want them to have access to such books.”

For its part, DISD has published what seemingly amounts to the district’s ethos on removing controversial library materials:

“Students’ First Amendment rights are implicated by the removal of books from the shelves of a school library. A district shall not remove materials from a library for the purpose of denying students access to ideas with which the district disagrees. A district may remove materials because they are pervasively vulgar or based solely upon the educational suitability of the books in question.”

While hardworking and sincere teachers try to provide Dallas’ next generation with quality education, the repeated involvement of the Board of Trustees and district leadership in such controversies, along with other accusations of mismanagement, make success immensely difficult for the educators in the trenches, contributing to poor student outcomes across DISD.

Last school year, only 41% of DISD students scored at grade level on the STAAR exam, and almost 20% of the Class of 2022 failed to graduate high school on time.

The Dallas Express reached out to DISD’s Board of Trustees to ask whether they plan on complying with the TEA’s recommendation for approving library materials and whether they are interested in grappling with this issue.

No response was received by press time.

Still, the issue could jeopardize three trustees’ chances of reelection in May, when Dustin MarshallJoyce Foreman, and Joe Carreón have to defend their records at a time when student academic achievement is in the tank and district voters are demanding more transparency and accountability from DISD, at least according to two polls conducted by The Dallas Express.

Over the last year, The Dallas Express has reported on school boards across North Texas faced pressure from parents and community activists on both sides of the issue, squaring off in Frisco ISDKeller ISDGrapevine-Colleyville ISDMcKinney ISD, and Granbury ISD.

Updates to screening protocols at some school districts have drawn complaints from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas, which in turn prompted an announcement by the U.S. Department of Education that it would be investigating Granbury ISD over the activist group’s accusations.

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35 Comments

  1. R Reason

    Are the Hardy Boys still working for ATAC?

    Reply
  2. regina m imburgia

    I have seen parents try to read out loud from the books that are allowed in the children’s library–and the parents are stopped and demonized!! But the BOOKS remain on the shelves!!!

    As in your article a poster of something in one of these books is stopped at the door- because it is pornographic!
    BUT The BOOKS remain on the shelves!!

    VOTE these enablers out in May!

    THANK YOU Dallas Express for writing this article!

    this needs repeating –copy/paste
    Still, the issue could jeopardize three trustees’ chances of reelection in May, when Dustin MarshallJoyce Foreman, and Joe Carreón have to defend their records at a time when student academic achievement is in the tank and district voters are demanding more transparency and accountability from DISD,

    Reply
  3. Ginger Jordan

    Would we allow books describing illicit sex acts for heterosexuals? I hope not. The same standard should apply here. Our students should not be exposed to this in their schools. It comes across as condoning such.

    Reply
  4. Wrath

    While many books may indeed contain sexually-graphic content, some feel that the movement to remove obscene books from public school libraries is an attempt to suppress any support or mention of LGBTQ people and relationships.
    The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas recently filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, claiming that the movement “seeks to erase transgender and non-binary identities.”

    No… the purpose is to remove pornography from school libraries. If the Alphabet community is upset…tough.

    Reply
  5. Wrath

    While many books may indeed contain sexually-graphic content, some feel that the movement to remove obscene books from public school libraries is an attempt to suppress any support or mention of LGBTQ people and relationships.
    The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas recently filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, claiming that the movement “seeks to erase transgender and non-binary identities.”

    No the objective is to remove pornography from school libraries.. it seems that DE doesn’t like this comment and removed it. Not wanting to offend the LBGT crowd???!

    Reply
  6. Wrath

    DE is very defensive in the comments that may criticize the LBGTQ crowd. Your bias is showing…or maybe your cowardice

    Reply
    • fed up with Dallas County

      We are very defensive about perverts – perhaps someone like you – indoctrinating children. The LBGTQ crowd – when they support this – deserve criticism cupcake. Maybe you should join Gays Against Groomers.

      Reply
  7. Bob Burns

    You know in your hearts what you want for your children we all know that innocence lost is gone forever.

    Please get involved and allow our kids to be kids and their brains to develop without manipulation.

    Thank you.

    Reply
  8. Anna W.

    Ms. Rodriquez and Ms. Nolan have nothing todo but start some MESS.
    Why don’t you read some of the books. Because I don’t think they have shot anyone in the classroom.

    You ladies just want to have Gregg Abbott say great job girls. Why didn’t you and the Governor attend the funeral of the children in Uvalde. I guess these children will never ever appear in the History books of Texas. That might hurt someone’s feelings.

    Ladies Mexico was enslaved for 70 years by Spain. Read the 100 years of history by Texas Monthly. Get something of importance’s todo.

    Reply
    • Robbie

      Why don’t you include the men as well who are totally against the sexualization of children! StumbleBUM, and I do mean BUM, showed up for photo ops, but Abbott did not attend that 3 wing circus? Where is Obidens contribution to the city for $5 million which is what Abbott has sent to Uvalde? Your bias is “flaming.”

      Reply
      • Anna W.

        Abbott has never sent $5 million dollars to Uvalde. Your bias is ignorant. What idiots would mention the sexualization of children except a pervert.
        You guys are obsessed with sexualization with children but not the lives of children.

        Reply
  9. Bill Fox

    I don’t need the average C student in life aka other kids’ parents aka people that read this online rag and think it’s journalism telling me what my kids should read.

    Lolita and Beloved are fine for educated 11th and 12th graders.

    Reply
    • Scooterville

      Journalism.

      Like shilling an (1) experimental gene therapy, (2) the Trump-Russia hoax and (3) BLM ‘progress’ and then going completely silent on those very same stories once the real evidence comes out : (1) veritable bioweapon, (2) A LIE completely concocted by dirty politicians/reporters/intelligence community, (3) a self-enriching astro-turfed embezzlement organization that did nothing for black lives betterment.

      Even a C student can figure out who the real grifters are.

      Reply
      • R Reason

        Sounds like someone didn’t do so well in school. Hopefully, Freakboy is ok.

        Reply
      • Bill Fox

        And even I, an A student, can see that you are likely an incel with no friends living in a trailer or your mom’s basement smoking meth with foil on the windows. Glad the internet gives you the real truth though.

        Reply
        • fed up with Dallas County

          Projecting Bill?

          Reply
          • Anna W.

            Voting Day, May 6. 2023 see you at the POLLS.

    • fed up with Dallas County

      I agree. Your kids are already too messed up for help Bill.

      Reply
      • Anna W.

        Attend PTA, City Council and call your City Councilman or Councilwoman.

        How about your two US Senators, Congress person, State Rep. State Senator and your Dallas Superintendent. Stop whining and start working.

        Reply
  10. Keepin it real!

    Although truly pornographic material doesn’t belong in any DISD school, neither does trampling First Amendment rights when it comes to books that portray LGBTQ+ people. Some parents are fighting to totally erase our gay brothers and sisters from existence. Not good!

    Reply
  11. Cricket

    Are we really surprised? All Nations that forget God are turned into hell. We’ve ushered in heinous sins in this Nation and then when our kids act out the examples of what we’ve showed them, then we act surprised?? Let’s go back to the Bible, let’s go back to right thinking, right speaking, right living…and until we do, this Nation and world will continue on a downward spiral….

    Reply
    • Janet

      And YOU determine what is “right thinking, right speaking, right living”?

      Reply
      • Anna W.

        Amen, tried of these self righteous hypocrites. It’s weird they are always speaking about sin. Is that all they talk about. Thank you Janet love your reply.

        Reply
    • Bill Fox

      You’re correct because crucifixion as a form punishment was humane and not heinous.

      When were the good old days? The Crusades? Times of slavery? Imperialism? The Holocaust? I just want to know when humanity was so awesome so we can get back to that time.

      Reply
      • fed up with Dallas County

        The “good times” ended the day you were born.

        Reply
  12. Bill Fox

    And what happened to Republicans that were all about freedom to choose? Wait, I know. They started pandering to the white trash voters that fear everything. Let me decide what my kid reads.

    Reply
    • Anna W.

      So true!

      Reply
    • Djea3

      The problem is that WHEN SCHOOLS undermine the freedoms of a PARENT to TEACH their children the social constructs that are important and even religious, then there is NO FREEDOM OF CHOICE!
      The public school system should never be allowed to teach anything other than the required educational courses and trade electives etc. Anything else is social brainwashing to desired change, this include politics! Currently we know that the left is using our schools to promote left wing ideologies in a systemic manner. Time to end all this and get back to BASICS. The US has some of the lowest test scores globally on average. We do not need to wonder why.

      Reply
      • Bill Fox

        I know why we have low tests scores and it is because you are part of the uneducated masses that fear everything and believe in conspiracies.

        Don’t strip away mine and my child’s right to read certain literature because you don’t understand it.

        Reply
        • fed up with Dallas County

          Were sure that you understand it perfectly.

          Reply
    • fed up with Dallas County

      You can do that now Bill. No one is determining how you indoctrinate your children at home.

      Reply
  13. Robbie

    So DPD labeled an enlarged copy of something in a book as pornography but it’s OK to let minors have access to information regarding sex acts. How despicable. I am AGAINST the sexualization of ALL minors. What is going on in this nation???? Complete destruction!

    Reply
  14. Djea3

    I am really sorry people but I view this a bit differently. What I do with my wife is between my wife and myself. I do NOT ever talk of any specific act or sexual ideology or kink with anyone else ever.

    If those things were discussed even in written form in even a High School they would be considered OBSCENE with regard to the age and development of the youth involved.

    The problem with LGBQT is that they are IN EVERYONE’s FACE about their RIGHTS and their actual activities. They want not only the RIGHT to be gay and transgender but to FORCE ALL OF the REST of society to hear, see, and know of every single detail about themselves, as well as have the RIGHT to attempt to GROOM children into their lifestyle.

    It is NOT the place of schools to attempt to “enlighten” children into acceptance of any sexual identity or activity, To say otherwise is to admit that the SCHOOLS themselves are GROOMING the children to become LGBQT etc.

    It is time to END any relationship between K-12 schools and LGBQT persons and organizations. PERIOD. The schools have no damned business being involved, there is hardly enough time to teach the required subjects and keep our students internationally marketable to begin with.

    Reply
    • Anna W.

      Required subjects, those are the ones you have banned. LGBQT individual’s can’t tell anyone how to speak, listen or what books to read.
      If you are that weak, you are the one with the problem. If they are on TV change the channel, you have options, they don’t.
      These Christians, no one has to ask you for absolution because you are not God.

      Reply
  15. fed up with Dallas County

    The solution to this problem is to cut off the Dallas Independent School Districts’ financial oxygen by withdrawing students. The current crop of indoctrinated “educators” is a fine example of why a college degree is – as a practical matter – worthless in modern times.

    Reply

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