United States Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) read from two of the most challenged books in school libraries during a Tuesday hearing. The hearing was hosted by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
WARNING: The excerpts read by Sen. Kennedy contain sexually explicit content.
The hearing, which was called “Book Bans: Examining How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature,” featured the following exchange between Kennedy and a couple of individuals who were there to testify.
Kennedy said the argument was “too conceptual” and he wanted to try to understand what the committee was being asked to do. He then read passages from “All Boys Aren’t Blue” and “Gender Queer.”
“I put some lube on and got him on his knees and I began to slide into him from behind. I pulled out of him and kissed him while he masturbated. He asked me to turn over while he slipped a condom on himself. This was my ass and I was struggling to imagine someone inside me. He got on top and slowly inserted himself into me. It was the worst pain I think I have ever felt in my life. Eventually I felt a mix of pleasure with the pain.”
The second passage was from “Gender Queer.”
“I got a new strap-on harness today. I can’t wait to put it on you. It will fit my favorite dildo perfectly. You’re going to look so hot. I can’t wait to have your cock in my mouth. I’m going to give you the blowjob of your life, then I want you inside of me.”
Kennedy asked the Illinois Secretary of State, Alexi Giannoulias, what he was asking the committee to do and whether he thought only librarians should decide whether those two books are available to kids.
“No,” he said. “The words you spoke are disturbing, especially coming out of your mouth it’s very disturbing. But what I would also tell you is, we are not advocating for kids to read porn.”
Kennedy asked what they were advocating for.
“We are advocating for parents, random parents, not to have the ability under the guise of keeping kids safe to try and challenge the worldview of every single manner on these issues,” he said.
Kennedy then argued with Giannoulias about getting conceptual. Kennedy said it sounded as though they wanted librarians to decide who could see the books. Giannoulias said he believes deciding whether “To Kill a Mockingbird” should be pulled creates a slippery slope.
“I think you ought to think about it a little bit more before you come here,” Kennedy said. “If you’re going to propose something, you ought to be able, in 30 seconds, to be able to explain what you’re asking us to do.”
Kennedy then asked another witness if only librarians and not parents should have say in whether minors can read those books. The individual said “Gender Queer” has never been in his school library.
“Who decides ultimately,” Kennedy asked.
He was told about committees that make such a decision. Kennedy asked the guy what he would do if he was running things.
“Would you say anybody can see them? Or they have to be in a special section,” Kennedy asked.
The question continued to be dodged.
“None of you want to answer my question,” Kennedy said. “You come here, and you say ‘censorship is bad. Of course, it’s bad. But the obvious response is OK, you heard the books we’re talking about. OK, we’re not talking about ‘Catcher in the Rye.’ So tell me, who gets to decide? And all I’ve heard is the librarians. And parents have nothing to do with it. And if that’s your response, what planet did you just parachute in from? Or what country more appropriately? This is not China.”
WARNING: The excerpts read by Sen. Kennedy contain sexually explicit content.
