Debate over controversial books dominates Fairfax Co. schools’ meeting again

Nick Iannelli | niannelli@wtop.com

December 3, 2021, 6:05 AM

A meeting held by the Fairfax County School Board Thursday turned into a debate and a protest over controversial books that were recently placed back into school libraries.

“I’m here to offer voice to the parents who are fighting to protect their children from exposure to pornographic material,” said one speaker, Lin-Dai Kendall.

It was the first meeting since the board announced last week that it would return two controversial books to high school libraries.

The board’s decision to return the books — “Lawn Boy” and “Gender Queer: A Memoir” — followed an extensive review into complaints that the books contained sexually explicit content and were inappropriate for high school students.

“Pornography in our schools is illicit,” Kendall said. “Protecting the innocence of our children is our duty.”

“A small minority of parents should not decide what books are in the library,” said Christina McCormick, another speaker at Thursday’s meeting.

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