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Dearborn schools review LGBTQ+ Books

More than 600-hundred people showed up to a Dearborn board of education meeting last night. Many called for the ban of certain LGBTQ-themed books.

Many raised concerns of what they called “explicit content” found in high school library books, like references to the gay-dating app Grindr, casual sex, and self-harm. Ziad Badwan says he wants the books removed.

“The books is not something that’s appropriate for anyone who’s under 18, regardless of your orientation, race, color. It doesn’t even matter.” said Badwan

Throughout the meeting, the crowd cheered those who supported the book ban, and booed those in opposition. Dana Mohammad says she rejects the idea that people are not being motivated by an anti-LGBTQ agenda.

“If that were true, then a lot more books would be on the table to be banned.” said Mohammad.

The Dearborn school board says its reviewing its book collection, and that parents can challenge specific content.

Eli Newman is a Reporter/Producer for 101.9 WDET, covering breaking news, politics and community affairs. Newman is an award-winning radio journalist and was named the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors Broadcast Rising Star in 2017. His work has appeared on NPR, Marketplace and the Detroit Free Press among others. Newman joined WDET as a newsroom intern in 2014 and is a graduate of the University of Michigan, where he first worked in radio at the student-run station WCBN.