On Monday, the superintendent of San Diego Unified School District sent an email to parents announcing that the nonprofit Gender Nation would be donating 2,000 “age appropriate LGBTQ+ inclusive” books to schools in San Diego.
As part of the “mission to empower students through inclusive stories,” San Diego schools “will now have access to more literature specifically geared towards LGBTQ+ students,” the email states. According to Gender Nation co-founder Keiko Feldman, “these books are just stories that help [kids] feel less alone.”
A review of the Gender Nation book list reveals sixteen titles geared toward preschool and elementary age children (age 2-8). One title, George, is geared toward children ages 8-12.
Some of the children’s books being donated by Gender Nation are physically beautiful, complete with lush watercolor illustrations and lyrical prose. Many of the themes addressed in the books, like individuality, self-confidence, and kindness, are standard fare for children’s literature. However, many parents, including the mom who reached out to me about this story, are concerned about the effect the books could have on children. Rather than resolving alienation, as intended, parents worry that the introduction of transgender ideology to young children will end up creating gender confusion in children who would not otherwise struggle with them or exacerbating or prolonging such feelings.
Those parents are joined in their concerns by medical professionals. While gender “affirmative” children’s books explicitly teach children to embrace gender dysphoria as a stable component of their identity, research suggests that 65-94% of children with gender dysphoria eventually outgrow it. In light of this research, the use of puberty blocking drugs has been banned for persons under 16 in the U.K. (with exceptions granted with a court order), and the nation’s only youth gender clinic has been rated “inadequate” by inspectors and its treatments have sparked a lack of confidence by the clinicians themselves. Similar restrictions on hormone therapy have been considered in several U.S. states.
Of the sixteen books on the Gender Nation book list, 7 explicitly endorse childhood transgenderism and/or gender fluid ideology. They include:
I Am Jazz, by Jessica Herthel and YouTube star Jazz Jennings. “From the time she was two years old, Jazz knew that she had a girl’s brain in a boy’s body.” (Age: 4-8 years)
George, by Alex Gino. “When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl.” (Age: 8-12 years)
It Feels Good To Be Yourself, by Theresa Thorn. “Some people are boys. Some people are girls. Some people are both, neither, or somewhere in between.” (Age: 4-8 years)
Some of the kids’ books approach gender fluidity through metaphor, which may cause confusion in adults as well as children:
Neither, by Airlie Anderson. “In the Land of This and That, there are only two kinds: blue bunnies and yellow birds. But one day a funny green egg hatches, and a little creature that’s not quite a bird and not quite a bunny pops out. It’s neither!” (Age: 4-8 years)
Red: A Crayon’s Story, by Michael Hall. “Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue.” (Age: 4-8 years)
From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea, by Kai Cheng Thom. “The only problem is they can’t decide what to be: A boy or a girl? A bird or a fish? A flower or a shooting star?” (Age: 3-8 years)
An additional 3 books discuss gender-nonconforming dress and/or a child’s fascination with dressing as the opposite gender:
Annie’s Plaid Shirt, by Stacy B. Davids. “Annie loves her plaid shirt and wears it everywhere…She feels weird in dresses. Why can’t her mom understand?” (Age: 3-8 years)
Julián is a Mermaid, by Jessica Love. “All he can think about is dressing up just like the ladies in his own fabulous mermaid costume. But what will Abuela think about how Julián sees himself?” (Age: 4-8 years)
One of a Kind, Like Me, by Lauren Mayeno. “Tomorrow is the school parade, and Danny knows exactly what he will be: a princess. Mommy supports him 100%.” (Age: 4-8 years)
Sparkle Boy, by Leslea Newman. “When older boys at the library tease Casey for wearing ‘girl’ things, Jessie realizes that Casey has the right to be himself and wear whatever he wants.” (Age: 5-8 years)
An additional three titles discuss homosexuality, nontraditional family structure and LGBT activism:
And Tango Makes Three, by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell. “The heartwarming true story of two penguins who create a nontraditional family.” (Age: 2-5 years)
The Bravest Knight Who Ever Lived, by Daniel Errico. “Knights, dragons, and princesses are the things all good fairy tales are made of, but what happens when the tale has an LGBTQ ending?” (Age: 5-6 years)
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag, by Rob Sanders. “In this deeply moving and empowering true story, young readers will trace the life of the Gay Pride Flag, from its beginnings in 1978 with social activist Harvey Milk and designer Gilbert Baker to its spanning of the globe and its role in today’s world.” (Age: 5-8 years)
The final 2 books, It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr and Marisol McDonald and the Clash Bash by Monica Brown appear to focus on individuality without overt gender focus.
Having watched a short video about the founders of the organization, I have compassion for the two mothers behind Gender Nation. Having many gay and lesbian friends who struggled in middle and high school, I relate to their desire to show kids that they are not alone. However, as I’ve written about before, I also harbor deep concerns with transgender ideology, which I believe strays far afield of legitimate science. Most importantly, I believe all aspects of human sexuality are beyond the purview of elementary school instruction.
The above comes from an April 28 story in the Daily Wire.
The asteroid can smack into earth anytime now…
Sometimes a book burning is a good and necessary thing. Indoctrination children with these perversions is demonic.
I hate to state the obvious, but . . .
It might feel good to be yourself, but if you’re a psychopathic killer, you might want to seek counseling to resolve your psychological problems. This will do yourself and others quite a bit of good.
Same comment about people who feel they’re transgender.
Any place we can buy millstones?
None of these will ever appear in my in my classroom, and not on my watch.
San Diego parents, this is why you homeschool. Your kids deserve better than this trash.
Guess Drag Queen Story Hour (yes there is such a thing) didn’t reach enough of the target audience. Now these sexual perverts are boldly pushing their agenda on children in school. It’s not school shootings to fear, it’s the continuing access to innocent kids that is the clear and present danger
This is a type of child abuse. To indoctrinate young children with the propaganda of the LGBTQ+ lobby is a tragedy. This is unscientific and contrary to natural law, not to mention any traditional morality or divine revelation. Confused children will be scarred for life. As Pope Francis has described the transgender lobby, it is demonic. He has reiterated the teaching of the Church that to intentionally deprive a child of a father or a mother is a form of child abuse. And, Harvey Milk acknowledged sexual relations with numerous minors (when he was an older adult). That is abuse and he should never be held up as a role model. God always forgives. Humans sometimes forgive. Nature never forgives. A terrible price will be paid if this demonic folly continues.
And, be aware, this harmful error is likely to find its way even into some Catholic schools.
Will the bishop of San Diego speak out about this? (The majority of Catholic children attend public schools.)
Lord, have mercy on us all.
A middle schooler came to a parent and said “I think I am gay.” The parent took it slowly. “Why do you think you are gay?” The child said “Because it says on the Internet that gay people are lonely and I’m lonely.”
True story.
As an educator with nearly 40 years of experience at all levels k-12, I can attest that most 3 to 10 year old children are not thinking about gender or sex. This is yet another example of crazy, mixed up adults infecting unaware children with their craziness and confusion. The poor kids.
I’ve been in public education for 35 years. My best advice to parents is get your children out of public schools as soon as you can.
Shame on the San Diego Unified School District! This is extremely irresponsible, dangerous, immoral, and demonic! Kids with LGBT problems, including Gender Dysphoria– a mental illness– need to go to their doctor and get good medical help. No child should ever read a children’s book about filthy, demonic, gay teen molester, Harvey Milk, falsely “heroizing” him.These books need to be prohibited and destroyed.
Tim Tebow, the famous sports champion, wrote a new children’s book called: “Bronco And Friends– A Party to Remember.” In his book, he encourages children to find God’s special plan for their life, their special, unique place in His Creation. Everyone is totally loved by God, and has a special, unique place– even if they are disabled or have special, serious problems– each child has a special place in God’s Creation, and is very special, and loved by God! That is the truth that each child should learn! Especially if they have special problems! They must never be taught immoral and wrong behaviors and “lifestyles.”
LGBT issues are not for kids of any age. Only adults are old enough for this type of information. Children should be kept safe from abnormal and potentially immoral, dangerous people and situations. Kids struggling with LGBT issues should have their problems kept at home, privately, between their parents and themselves, and their doctors. Parents have the responsibility to learn to help their struggling children, along with appropriate medical care. It is not a matter for the whole school to discuss– none of anyone’s business! And all children should be taught their manners and their morals, and to live by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Be kind to all others, and do not judge them. And their lives and problems are none of your business. Just be kind and non-judgmental to everyone. Be a good kid!
okay mr smarty pants. how will the kids learn then? are you offering to pay for private school? are you offering to tutor?
Where is all this coming from? Consider this:
National Education Association (NEA), President Catherine Barrett wrote in the February 10, 1973 edition of SATURDAY REVIEW OF EDUCATION: “Dramatic changes in the way we will raise our children in the year 2000 are indicated, particularly in terms of schooling….We will need to recognize that the so-called ‘basic skills,’ which currently represent nearly the total effort in elementary schools, will be taught in one-quarter of the present school day….When this happens—and it’s near—-the teacher can rise to his true calling. More than a dispenser of information, the teacher will be a conveyor of values, a philosopher….We will be agents of change.”
Sparkle Boy in the photo needs to be given a football or a toy gun.
I looked up Sparkle Boy on Amazon. It’s not so bad. Thanks for turning up the heat on my frog again, CCD.
Book burnings never looked so inviting
Said like the totalitarian you must be are
Go to Catholic schools, Christian schools, or homeschool.
I did not let my child attend the local Catholic school because of the books I saw on the shelves of the classroom and in the library.
The teachers and principle tried to say all the right things but the presence of books with witchcraft and shapeshifting told me that they did not have the same concerns that I had about what kids should be exposed to.
I did not use any of the Harry Potter books with my grandchildren, or with any children, as witchcraft was presented as being mainly a good thing and parents mostly bad. I find no problem with the “Chronicles of Narnia”, where witchcraft is presented as bad, and Aslan the Lion being a symbol of Jesus Christ. Beware, though, some publishers have changed the stories. Make sure any you buy are the original stories. Michael O’Brien of “StudiObrien” used to have good articles on what books to buy or not to buy for children.