Books about gender and sexuality should not be removed from high school libraries. This Book is Gay should not be banned because it helps with self-discovery and banning does not stop students from engaging in sexual activity, and it can prevent bulying and harrassment.
Because of the mentions of sexual things in the book, I don't believe that is appropriate for middle and elementary schoolers. However, high school is an important time for self-discovery. This Book is Gay can help students to explore their identity and accept themselves. It can guide them in their identification and telling others about it. Also, most high-schoolers know what sex is, and most high schools have a sexual education program. Banning books because of sexual content, especially books that can help with a LGBTQ+ high schooler's self-discovery, will not stop students from engaging in sexual activity. It will only harm and alienate LGBTQ+ students.
Even non-LGBTQ+ students can benefit from knowing more about the community. Being educated about the community can clear misconceptions and prevent harrassment. Many high school students engage in harrassment towards LGBTQ+ students due to misconceptons that being LGBTQ+ is "unnatural" or "wrong". Education about the LGBTQ+ community can help students to accept themselves and others. Everyone being more educated on the community can prevent bullying.
Some people may claim that books such as these can influence children into being LGBTQ+. However, a book cannot change someone's gender or sexuality. People should be more worried about their LGBTQ+ students or children not being able to find themselves or be accepted. Lack of acceptance towards LGBTQ+ students is much more harmful than them being gay in the first place. There's nothing wrong with being gay, but there's a lot wrong with the way the LGBTQ+ community is treated based off of misconceptions.
