2 days ago
Hillsborough County schools remove LGBTQ+ book under state pressure
Once again this summer, Hillsborough County removed a book from its library shelves following a reprimand by Florida education officials for "inappropriate content."
The book, "Trans Mission: My Quest to a Beard," was removed from Hillsborough County Public Schools as of Aug. 8, Superintendent Van Ayres said in an email posted by Anastasios "Stasi" Kamoutsas, the state's new education commissioner.
It's the result of an escalated exchange between Ayres and Kamoutsas, after Kamoutsas posted a photo of the book on Aug. 4 and wrote on X: "I expect this to be remedied immediately or you can expect another invite to our next meeting."
Ayres promptly reacted Aug. 5 by first restricting the book's access to only those with parental consent and said it wouldn't be displayed openly in any of the district's media centers. Then Ayres removed the book altogether three days later.
Book removals are part of an escalating pattern of state officials pressuring school districts to remove books, in accordance with legislation empowering parents to challenge materials they consider inappropriate.
Many of these books address LGBTQ+ themes, race or classic literature. Florida's been in the national spotlight for book removals, with critics accusing state officials of censorship and violating First Amendment rights.
Ayres already has been under fire since May, when then-Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. and Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote letters mounting pressure on dozens of book removals, describing them as "pornographic."
It led to Ayres being brought before the State Board of Education in June, where officials grilled him for not flagging these books sooner.
"I understand Commissioner Kamoutsas' concerns. To be clear, this book was not purchased since I was appointed superintendent but I will ensure that moving forward all books purchased at taxpayer expense are advancing academic achievement and student success," Ayres wrote on X Aug. 5
"Trans Mission" is a book written by Alex Bertie, a transgender former YouTube personality, who discusses his journey growing up and transitioning in this memoir. Kamoutsas wrote on X on Aug. 4 that Hillsborough County continued to "expose students to inappropriate content."
A request for comment is pending with Ayres on what led to the decision to fully remove the title and whether a media specialist reviewed it.
Media specialists manage library books in schools and have been called the defenders of students' First Amendment rights. They read and analyze books in entirety, and as of 2022 they were required to approve all materials in school libraries and follow training guidelines set by the state.
This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners. USA Today Network-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@ On X: @stephanymatat.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Hillsborough schools yank LGBTQ+ memoir after state warning
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