Latest news with #Flamer
CBS News
18 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Harford County school's decision to ban book has parents, teachers voicing concerns
Harford County parents and teachers spoke out against the school board's decision to ban an award-winning illustrated novel from its libraries. The book, "Flamer," by Mike Curato, was previously approved by district committees. However, parents said the school board voted to ban the book during a closed-door session in late June, after public appeals. The controversial novel is about a teenage boy who, as he "navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance," according to the author. On Monday, dozens of people stood in front of the school board to show either support or displeasure with the book ban. "This was the first formal appeal under the newly finalized book review procedure—a process nearly two years in the making, developed with input from staff, Board members, and members of the public," School Board President Aaron Poynton said in a statement. "The decision we made will likely set a precedent for future challenges, and we recognize the importance of clarity." Members of the advocacy group "Together We Will" led a protest before the Harford County School Board meeting on Monday. In a statement, the group said the decision and process to ban the book "threatens student rights." "In the school system, parents can opt out of any book that they want for their child. There is already plenty of support or protection for any parent who doesn't want their child to read a book," added Delane Lewis, president of "Together We Will." "What we have is the Board of Education stepping in front of parents and telling them what they should or shouldn't have their children read." Some parents at Monday's school board meeting feel the banned book, "Flamer," is not appropriate for children. "It's sexually explicit, and it has tons of vulgar language in it," said Suzie Scott, from the group Moms for Liberty. "It's just not the kind of thing that is appropriate for your average middle school or high school student." Harford County Board of Education President Aaron Poynton defended the board's decision to ban Flamer from the schools in the district, saying the book is filled with "pervasively vulgar language." If I were to read excerpts aloud during a Board meeting, I would be fined by the FCC," Poynton said. "This language is not suitable for younger children in schools." Poynton continued to argue that the book would receive an "R" rating if it were in the movie theaters, and it is not appropriate for designated grade levels of high school and middle school. "The Board ultimately voted to remove the book, citing clear violations of HCPS's selection procedure, which prohibits materials with obscene language, sexually explicit content, or depictions of illegal or violent acts inappropriate for the age group served," Poynton said. "This was not about censorship. It was about age-appropriate access and upholding our duty of care. While the Board supports intellectual freedom, we also acknowledge our professional responsibility to safeguard student well-being and respect parents' rights."
Hamilton Spectator
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Pornography is a problem': Smith defends new rules for Alberta school libraries
Alberta's premier says 'pornography is a problem for young adults' in remarks defending her government's move to remove sexually explicit content from school library shelves this fall. Danielle Smith was responding to criticism received via text on her provincewide phone-in radio program on Saturday that a lack of education funding and overcrowded classrooms were more important issues than library content. Smith replied it's important the province make sure young children are exposed to age-appropriate material, and that they're 'not exposed to pornographic images early.' On Thursday, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said sexually explicit content must be gone from school library shelves as of Oct. 1, but noted the move is not about book banning. The new policy stems from an announcement Nicolaides made in May after he said four inappropriate coming-of-age graphic novels were found in school libraries in Edmonton and Calgary. Smith encouraged people to go online themselves and view explicit images from the books, telling listeners they'll be scratching their heads wondering how they got into elementary schools in the first place. 'If I am not permitted to describe to you the kind of images that seven-year-olds are seeing because it would offend your audience, then we shouldn't be showing them to seven-year-olds,' Smith said. 'So yeah, I think it's important that we make sure that young children are exposed to age-appropriate material only and that they're not exposed to pornographic images early.' On the question of priorities, Smith said her government is holding consultations with the public and teachers about other issues in schools, such as violence in the classroom. 'That is the biggest issue that we've been hearing from teachers, that in some situations, violent students are making life unsafe for our teachers,' Smith said. The novels in question are written by American authors: 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe, 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel, 'Blankets' by Craig Thompson and 'Flamer' by Mike Curato. When Nicolaides announced plans for new rules back in May, Smith posted on social media that 'parents are right to be upset.' As part of the announcement Thursday, Nicolaides issued a list of specific sex acts that can't be explicitly described in library books alongside new rules for what students can read. No students will be allowed to access what the government calls explicit sexual content, including detailed depictions of masturbation, sexual penetration or sexual physical contact. By Jan. 1, new school board policies must be in place dictating how books are selected and reviewed. An online government survey before Thursday's announcement found that the majority of respondents across demographics don't support the government setting new standards for school library books. Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling said in a statement the new rules will add to teachers' workload, politicize a 'non-issue' and target vulnerable students. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Pornography is a problem': Smith defends new rules for Alberta school libraries
Alberta's premier says 'pornography is a problem for young adults' in remarks defending her government's move to remove sexually explicit content from school library shelves this fall. Danielle Smith was responding to criticism received via text on her provincewide phone-in radio program on Saturday that a lack of education funding and overcrowded classrooms were more important issues than library content. Smith replied it's important the province make sure young children are exposed to age-appropriate material, and that they're 'not exposed to pornographic images early.' On Thursday, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said sexually explicit content must be gone from school library shelves as of Oct. 1, but noted the move is not about book banning. The new policy stems from an announcement Nicolaides made in May after he said four inappropriate coming-of-age graphic novels were found in school libraries in Edmonton and Calgary. Smith encouraged people to go online themselves and view explicit images from the books, telling listeners they'll be scratching their heads wondering how they got into elementary schools in the first place. 'If I am not permitted to describe to you the kind of images that seven-year-olds are seeing because it would offend your audience, then we shouldn't be showing them to seven-year-olds,' Smith said. 'So yeah, I think it's important that we make sure that young children are exposed to age-appropriate material only and that they're not exposed to pornographic images early.' On the question of priorities, Smith said her government is holding consultations with the public and teachers about other issues in schools, such as violence in the classroom. 'That is the biggest issue that we've been hearing from teachers, that in some situations, violent students are making life unsafe for our teachers,' Smith said. The novels in question are written by American authors: 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe, 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel, 'Blankets' by Craig Thompson and 'Flamer' by Mike Curato. When Nicolaides announced plans for new rules back in May, Smith posted on social media that 'parents are right to be upset.' As part of the announcement Thursday, Nicolaides issued a list of specific sex acts that can't be explicitly described in library books alongside new rules for what students can read. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. No students will be allowed to access what the government calls explicit sexual content, including detailed depictions of masturbation, sexual penetration or sexual physical contact. By Jan. 1, new school board policies must be in place dictating how books are selected and reviewed. An online government survey before Thursday's announcement found that the majority of respondents across demographics don't support the government setting new standards for school library books. Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling said in a statement the new rules will add to teachers' workload, politicize a 'non-issue' and target vulnerable students. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.
Edmonton Journal
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta announces ban on explicit sexual content in school libraries
Article content There is no additional government funding for school boards alongside the new policy. Article content The new standards will apply to public, separate, francophone, charter, and independent schools, but not to municipal libraries located within schools or to materials chosen by teachers as learning resources. Article content 'Our primary concern from the very beginning has been around material that's really graphic and around sexual content, and making sure that it's age appropriate,' Nicolaides told Postmedia in an interview last month. Article content More than 77,000 Albertans submitted responses to the province's survey on establishing provincewide standards, with a majority saying they were not supportive of that move. Article content The survey cited four books as examples of materials that the ministry found objectionable for children: Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, Craig Thompson's Blankets, and Mike Curato's Flamer, all of which deal with 2SLGBTQIA+ themes, and have sexual imagery and language. Article content Article content Responses from parents of school-aged children made up just under half of all responses to the survey with 'interested Albertans' representing the next biggest cohort at one-third of replies. Article content Nicolaides has said the policy is in reaction concerns he had heard from parents 'for quite some time.' Article content A freedom of information request from Postmedia seeking correspondence from Albertans objecting to certain books in schools produced fewer than five emails going back to the spring of 2023. Article content The Christian lobby group Action4Canada has claimed credit for 'behind-the-scenes' lobbying of the Alberta government. Article content Nicolaides confirmed ministry officials met with the group last fall, but downplayed the impact of those meetings. Article content 'They had brought some materials to our attention so that helped to get a better understanding of the nature of materials that was available in schools. But, you know, this is a topic that I've talked with many Albertans about.' Article content Article content — With files from Cindy Tran and Steve Sandor Article content Article content
Boston Globe
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Free events this week: romance readings, artistic insights; plus a Seaport cinema bargain
KABLAM! The Boston Figurative Art Center's mission is to uplift the creative community by bringing artists together — including comic artists. This Monday, the comic authors Mike Curato of 'Flamer' and 'Little Elliot' series fame, and K. Wroten, whose client list is as illustrious as their work, will visit the center to discuss their literary and artistic work, including Curato's first adult novel, that debuted last month. Boston Figurative Center, 285 Washington St., Somerville. SHHH, JUST READ Sometimes all we want is just a little peace and quiet, but it's summer in the city and it's hard to escape the noise. Porter Square Books Cambridge Edition is taking a page from your local library by hosting a silent reading party. Bring your current read (or shop for a new one) to the ' shhh '-worthy spot for a lazy, low-stimulus late-afternoon reading hour. The only noise will come from the turning of pages, and the occasional shush if someone tries to strike up conversation, or — goddess forbid — click their pen repeatedly. Following reading time, an optional discussion about your latest read will take place. July 8, 4-5:30 p.m. Porter Square Books, 1815 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Advertisement Campbell-Lynn McLean's "The Hissing Lawn," oil on canvas. The Boston artist's first solo exhibition will open July 11 at LaiSun Keane Gallery. Campbell-Lynn McLean Advertisement PICTURES OF SUMMER LaiSun Keane Gallery is bringing the South End art community together to celebrate one of its own with an opening reception for Boston artist Campbell-Lynn McLean's first solo exhibition, 'On Hissing Summer Lawns.' According to the artist statement, the painting collection is 'a love letter to abundance, consumption and good weather,' focusing on themes of queerness, community, and connection. July 11, 6-8 p.m. 460C Harrison Ave. C8A. DISCOVERING NATURE Whether it's by kicking around a soccer ball or collecting roly-polies, summer break gives young ones the freedom to explore the great outdoors. Discovery Museum's Nature Play Festival will feature activities such as Invasive Plant Papermaking, Mud Kitchen, Bug Hunts, Log and Rock Flipping, as well as indoor galleries exploring the properties of nature — being water, air, light — to help children connect to the world around them. July 11, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Discovery Museum, 177 Main St. (Route 27), Acton. Families can explore the outdoors during Discovery Museum's Nature Play Festival. Jessica Cronin Photography BOOKWORM BASH Romance readers can join Lovestruck Books and July 12, 2-5 p.m. Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton St. VIVE LA FRANCE France's national holiday marks the storming of the Bastille in Paris during the French Revolution. It technically falls on July 14 — but here in Boston, Francophiles can get a head start with a Sunday soirée at the Charles Hotel. Attendees can expect displays of French traditions, including French accordion music and a 110-year-old waiters race, which requires exceptional balancing skills and speed. Before saying 'bonne nuit,' celebrants can stick around for some dancing and mingling as a DJ spins some more modern tunes. July 13, 4-8 p.m. The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Cambridge. Advertisement Deals & steals MOVING PICTURES Even with matinée prices, going to the movies comes with quite the price tag. While the words bargain and the Seaport may seem like an oxymoron, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has a deal that may suspend your belief: $7 tickets, even for new releases, every Tuesday. Tuesdays, 4-11 p.m. Alamo Drafthouse, 60 Seaport Blvd. Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to . Marianna Orozco can be reached at
