After the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit returned a lawsuit challenging two provisions of Senate File 496 — a law that requires material in schools to be age-appropriate – back to a lower court which will allow the law to go into effect and protect kids.
The ACLU of Iowa, Lambda Legal and Jenner & Block issued a statement after the decision was released, claiming that Iowa families and students — especially LGBTQ students — will “face bullying, intimidation and censorship as they return for a new school year.”
“Denying LGBTQ youth the chance to see themselves represented in classrooms and books sends a harmful message of shame and stigma that should not exist in schools,” the statement said.
The statement added that the district court would be asked to block the law again “at the earliest opportunity.”
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said the decision confirms what we already know.
“It should be parents who decide when and if sexually explicit books are appropriate for their children,” she said. “Here in Iowa, we will continue to focus on excellence in education and partnerships with parents and educators.”
Reynolds read a passage from one of the controversial books — “All Boys Aren’t Blue” — during an interview on KCCI. The station issued a warning to viewers about the story.
SHE DID IT: Gov. Reynolds reads passage from contested ‘All Boys Aren’t Blue’ during KCCI interview
Attorney General Brenna Bird also claimed victory.
“This victory ensures age-appropriate books and curriculum in school classrooms and libraries,” Bird said. “With this win, parents will no longer have to fear what their kids have access to in schools when they are not around.”
