While on my frequent routine of unearthing conspiracy theories and controversial opinions, I stumbled upon a review of banned books from around the world. At the time, I was unaware that the topic of books was an arising issue in public schools. I continued surfing and became aware of the Indiana Senate Bill 12, also known as the Book Ban Bill.

Bill 12 was recently passed 37-12 in the Senate and is now headed to the House. The bill contains information on how parents can report books for “inappropriate” material. The bill also strips teachers and librarians from the ability to protect themselves from the law. But why would any educator need protection from the law? 

Until reading excerpts from the book “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, I was unaware that extreme content like this was being displayed on school library shelves. Kobabe writes about their experience growing up and discovering they were LGBTQ. The graphic novel contains panels of regular childhood endeavors but also explicit illustrations—things that no elementary or middle school-level kid should be reading.  Now seeing examples of books that would be banned in Indiana schools, it’s obvious Senate Bill 12 would help end the hypersexualization of minors, especially in a place where we prioritize safety.

Along with Senators who voted for the bill, parents are being called “homophobic” because of wanting to be involved with what is taught to their kids. I would be more worried if they weren’t aware of books that could potentially groom their children.