Iowa’s “Don’t Say Gay” Law Blocked by Federal Judge

metroweekly.com:

initially flagged 374 books for removal from shelves for possible violations, eventually reducing that number to 64.Similarly, the Norwalk Community School District also issued a list of 64 books for removal.

Mason City banned 20 books from its schools, using artificial intelligence to help determine which ones should be banned — resulting in some classic novels, like The Handmaid’s Tale and Beloved, being banned.Republican Gov.

Kim Reynolds and other proponents of the “Don’t Say Gay” law have claimed it is intended to protect children from “pornography” and works containing “sexually explicit content.” But many of the banned books contain LGBTQ content, including LGBTQ characters, historical figures, or themes, which critics argue blocks LGBTQ students from reading about characters with whom they identify and from taking solace in the idea that they are not alone.The law was challenged by a group of seven families, with eight students affected by the law, and the pro-LGBTQ group Iowa Safe Schools.

The plaintiffs have argued that the measure violates students’ First Amendment right to receive information, deprives them of the right to free speech and expression, and their right to expressive association.The lawsuit also argues the “Don’t Say Gay” law is overly broad and vague regarding which content is prohibited, despite the Iowa Board of Education’s issuance of proposed rules on how the law should be implemented.The suit also alleges the law is discriminatory against LGBTQ students, and violates the Equal Access Act by prohibiting Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) from participating in group discussions or advertising meetings, threatening to “out” members to their parents under a parental notification provision in.