Dupage Policy Journal

A book known for its graphic displays of sex between youths has gotten a reprieve from an ad hoc committee set up by Downers Grove District 99 Superintendent Hank Thiele. 

The graphic arts novel Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe has caused a nationwide stir due to what some describe as its pornographic nature in some of scenes in the book. The recommendation will go in front of the D99 school board for a vote on June 6. 

“Now that the Ad-Hoc Committee has provided a recommendation to take no removal action of Gender Queer from the District 99 libraries, the next step in the process is for me to provide my recommendation to the Board of Education," Thiele said. "The decision of the Ad-Hoc Committee aligns with my recommendation. I believe Gender Queer belongs in our collection. I strongly agree with the key tenants of the Ad-Hoc Committee’s recommendation and recommend the Board take no removal action of Gender Queer from the District 99 libraries."

According to Thiele, the key tenants of the Ad-Hoc Committee’s recommendation include that "District 99 libraries should continue their role as safe spaces for students, to develop and champion beliefs of all individuals, and elevate students and readers of all levels, through text or graphic novels alike; Students and/or parents may opt-out of individual titles at District 99 libraries at any time; The intent of the work is not to 'cause sexual excitement' nor does the book include child pornography or pornography of any kind; The book meets the educational and social-emotional benefits connected to the Collection Development Guidelines, the Equity Vision of District 99, and the District 99 Statement of Values, and their overarching themes of belonging and empathy.”  

“I also recommend the Board take no removal action of Gender Queer from the District 99 libraries,” he said.

The novel, and its inclusion in libraries across Illinois has caused outrage among parent groups last year. Kobabe's book contains illustrated pictures of gay intercourse and has been criticized by parents around the country as being excessively sexual and inappropriate for students. Many Illinois towns, including parents in Downers Grove 99, are debating this and other similar works positioned in public education. 

The documentary "Whose Children Are They" examines what it calls the infiltration of sexually and racially charged materials into public schools. “The part that is the most shocking is the sex education portion," its producer and writer Deborah Floran said in an interview with AM 560’s the Morning Answer at the time of the film’s release. "This is comprehensive; it's about sex education gender fluidity anti-discipline etc., but even the sex education we have to put a disclaimer in front of it saying this is for mature audiences only. But they're showing it to children across the country,” 

According to Kristin Jenson of Defend Young Minds, an anti-child-sex-abuse organization, adults talking about sex with young children is a "grooming behavior... (that) parents should recognize.”

Thiele makes $244,000 base salary as superintendent of D99, according to the EIS Administrator and Teacher Salary and Benefits Report - School Year 2021. He has been the school system’s superintendent since 2015.

Despite what some parents call an abundance of graphic sex scenes within the book's pages, Thiele has defended the book as not falling under the “legal definition of pornography.”