In the Urbandale School District, parents and teachers are celebrating a noteworthy triumph in their ongoing battle against the state’s recent ban on LGBTQ+ content in school libraries. As Iowa’s Department of Education guidance remains pending, the district has taken a significant step by narrowing down the list of banned books.
Superintendent Dr. Rosalie Daca addressed the uncertainty surrounding the removal of books with topics related to gender identity and sexual orientation. In a letter to parents, she wrote, “We have determined that there is ambiguity regarding the extent to which books that contain topics related to gender identity and sexual orientation need to be removed from libraries.” Consequently, the school district decided to pause the removal of books referencing these subjects until they receive clear guidance from the Iowa Department of Education.
Earlier, the school district had published a list of 374 titles for review, which it believed could potentially conflict with Iowa’s Senate File 496. Passed by the state’s Republican-dominated legislature in May, this law targets books in public schools that depict sex acts and include references to gender identity or sexual orientation for grades K-6.
The revised list has significantly reduced the number of banned books to 64 titles. While several classic novels, including “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Brave New World,” “The Kite Runner,” “Beloved,” “The Color Purple,” and “Native Son,” are still on the list, more recent titles like “Gender Queer” and “All Boys Aren’t Blue” have also faced challenges.
Despite the loss of some books due to the culture war initiated by Republican lawmakers, advocates for free speech are welcoming this progress. Urbandale School Board member Dan Gutmann highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “This didn’t happen voluntarily or by accident. Our legislators pass laws rooted in bias, and they should be held accountable for that.”
The school district spokesperson, Dena Claire, clarified that the larger list was compiled to provide guidance to K-12 teachers in the absence of clear direction from the state. The aim was to avoid disciplinary actions against teachers and administrators according to the new law, which necessitated a broad interpretation.
As the Urbandale School District takes a cautious approach in navigating this contentious situation, Superintendent Daca acknowledged the gravity of her role in safeguarding the livelihoods of the staff. She expressed her concerns, stating, “This has weighed heavily on my mind and heart.”
For school board member Dan Gutmann, the battle for LGBTQ+ rights doesn’t end with the passage of harmful laws. He believes in the power of the Queer community and its allies to fight back and demand accountability from school boards at the local level.
In the face of adversity, this small victory in Iowa’s ongoing LGBTQ+ rights struggle is a testament to the resilience and determination of those fighting for inclusivity and equality in education. As the state awaits official guidance, the nation watches closely, recognizing the significance of this battle beyond state lines.