WGLT Krista Reichart-Lunny told the Heyworth school board critics of 'The Book is Gay' are concerned about its focus on sexual orientation rather than its explicit content.

These books covered only heterosexual sex. Clinical social worker and parent of three Heyworth students Krista Reichart-Lunny approached the podium bearing a stack of children’s books, each featuring material similarly explicit to 'This Book Is Gay,' and most intended for far younger ages. Tidmarsh was far from alone in pointing out how LGBTQ+ materials are treated differently from other texts. One, doctoral student Bryanna Tidmarsh, spoke in Bonner’s defense, arguing LGBTQ+ students benefit from literature that reflects their experiences, and that teaching heterosexual sex education in the sixth grade while neglecting other identities constitutes “institutionalized homophobia.” WGLT Bryanna Tidmarsh told the Heyworth school board teaching heterosexual sex education in the sixth grade while neglecting other identities constitutes “institutionalized homophobia.”Ī handful of attendees were students or instructors at Illinois State University, where Bonner is also an instructor in teaching and learning. And if parents can’t or won’t talk with their children, then who will?” “I can understand that topics of sexual education, gender identity, et cetera, can be viewed as topics parents should cover within home,” she said, “but not all parents are willing or able to have such conversations with their children. Many parents, such as Karen Maharas, shared some concerns but were also open to the book’s potential value. Also common was the insistence that non-straight sexual activity remain “behind closed doors.” Some parents insisted that the book’s “disturbing” content was inappropriate for children, and such issues are to be taught at home. The meeting drew about 85 attendees, 11 of whom took to the podium to speak for or against Bonner. Along with two cartoon diagrams of sexual anatomy, this gave rise to a wave of parental anger and online harassment culminating in Thursday's meeting. As the title suggests, the book centralizes the perspective of LGBTQ+ people, discussing the cultural stigma surrounding the community and, most controversially, giving brief descriptions of some sex acts.

It covers topics such as dating, early sexual urges, and safe sex practices. 'This Book Is Gay' is an informal and comedic take on an early high school sexual education book. Sarah Bonner became the epicenter of a social media frenzy sparked by a book in Bonner’s eighth grade English classroom which had been made available to students, although not specifically assigned. A Heyworth junior high school teacher has resigned following an uproar from some parents.

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