www.wglt.org
The meeting drew about 85 attendees, 11 of whom took to the podium to speak for or against Bonner. Some parents insisted that the book's "disturbing" content was inappropriate for children, and such issues are to be taught at home. Also common was the insistence that non-straight sexual activity remain "behind closed doors."
Many parents, such as Karen Maharas, shared some concerns but were also open to the book's potential value.
"I can understand that topics of sexual education, gender identity, et cetera, can be viewed as topics parents should cover within home," she said, "but not all parents are willing or able to have such conversations with their children. And if parents can't or won't talk with their children, then who will?"
A handful of attendees were students or instructors at Illinois State University, where Bonner is also an instructor in teaching and learning. One, doctoral student Bryanna Tidmarsh, spoke in Bonner's defense, arguing LGBTQ+ students benefit from literature that reflects their experiences, and that teaching heterosexual sex education in the sixth grade while neglecting other identities constitutes "institutionalized homophobia."
Tidmarsh was far from alone in pointing out how LGBTQ+ materials are treated differently from other texts. Clinical social worker and parent of three Heyworth students Krista Reichart-Lunny approached the podium bearing a stack of children's books, each featuring material similarly explicit to "This Book Is Gay," and most intended for far younger ages. These books covered only heterosexual sex.
"I just wanted to demonstrate that the content (critics of the book) were talking about, that the 'explicit' nature of it was not because of what it showed, the actual pictures ... it was focusing on the fact that the book was referencing gay orientation," Reichart-Lunny said after the meeting.
Two of Bonner's former students spoke highly of their experiences with Bonner. Recent Heyworth High School graduate Colin Norsworthy reinforced points in favor of "This Book Is Gay" and recalled his experiences being bullied for his sexuality in school. Current sophomore Allison Huebner emphasized Bonner's classroom as a warm refuge from a sometimes unwelcoming atmosphere.
