Escambia Co. School Board Removes 3 Books From Schools

Pensacola, Florida (WKRGMore) — The Escambia County Board of Education voted Monday night to remove three problematic books from school libraries.

All of the following removed books contain LGBTQ+ characters.

“All Boys Aren’t Blue” is a novel about a boy who grew up black and queer in America. It was available in all high schools. This is his one of the most banned books in the United States, with more than 20 districts removing the book. According to the challenge, six excerpts have been flagged as “pornographic” and “obscene.”

“And Tango Makes Three” tells the true story of two male penguins raising their chicks together at the Central Park Zoo.

When Aidan Became a Big Brother is a children’s picture book about a transgender boy becoming a big brother.

On Monday night, dozens of people addressed the board both for and against keeping these books in schools.

“I’m embarrassed to be a student in Escambia County tonight,” said one high school student. “If you look at the cover of this book, ‘When Aidan Became a Brother’ he has three black characters. Students can see themselves in this book.”

“I believe in parental rights and am very encouraged by tonight’s board meeting,” one woman said at a public forum.

“I have been teaching middle school and high school for nearly 30 years,” said one woman. She said, “I am dismayed that I am standing here to insist on keeping books on shelves in Escambia County when our reading scores are disastrous at best.”

“Get books if you need them, but they shouldn’t be in the district,” said Kevin Adams, director of the board. “We should focus on educating these students.”

More than 100 books have been challenged in schools in Escambia County, with most challenges coming from one teacher.