Board to decide on LGBTQ memoir in library

The Hudson City School Board of Education met again with concerned parents Monday regarding the debate to keep “Gender Queer” in the Hudson High School Library.

The board expects to vote on whether to keep the LGBTQ memoir on the high school’s shelves during its next regular meeting said Jennifer Reece, Hudson City Schools’ communications manager. The book, which was pulled off shelves in the fall, has not been made available for students since.

In previous meetings, all but one of the school committee members said they felt strongly about keeping the book in the library collection.

“Gender Queer” was recently named one of the top 10 banned books of 2021, according to the American Library Association. The ALA released its annual State of America Libraries Report on Monday which found that nearly double the amount of books were challenged in the U.S. in 2021 versus 2020.

“While the committee expressed concerns regarding the sexual content contained in the book, they also recognized that the book contained educational value in that it provides students who may be struggling with their own gender identity with unique perspective and support,” Interim Superintendent Steven Farnsworth previously told the Beacon Journal.

Monday’s special meeting was open to the public, although only the parent who raised the concern was permitted to speak and give their perspective to the Board of Education, according to Reece. The meeting was not livestreamed.

The board will meet Monday at 7 p.m. in the Hudson High School Media Center. A livestream will be available on the school’s website.

Reach reporter Molly Walsh at mwalsh@gannett.com