BUXTON, Maine — At an MSAD 6 school board meeting on Monday night, parents voiced their concerns while other parents showed their support for two books in the middle and high school library.
The books are titled "It's Perfectly Normal" and "Gender Queer: A Memoir." They deal with the topic of sexuality and gender identity.
One group of parents is asking for the books to be pulled off the shelves because they say it amounts to pornography, while the other group argues that no one is forcing kids to read them because they are not part of the official curriculum.
Board members decided they will take some time to read the books for themselves and will vote on removing them at a meeting on Sept. 6.
The towns of Buxton, Hollis, Standish, Limington, and Frye Island are part of MSAD 6.
MSAD 6 board chairman Nathan Carlow said the outrage came as a shock.
"I was a surprised for me, as long as I've been on the board... our policy has never been invoked for whether or not a book has been challenged, but moving forward, it will be less of a surprise," Carlow said.
These books have been targeted nationally and in another Maine school district.
Back in June, a panel in RSU 56 voted to keep the book "Gender Queer" on library shelves after some parents asked that it be removed from Dirigo High School in Dixfield, but when a new board took power, the book was removed.
Janet Kuech of Bookworm, a bookstore near MSAD 6, says if the ban goes though, she can order copies of the books for students curious about gender identity.
"I do think it is the wrong move on the school in that... we can't hide people from real life. I understand there are parents who would like to keep students innocent, I really understand that," Kuech said.
Gibson Fay-LeBlanc with the Maine Writers and Publishers Alliance said his organization is working to supply free copies of "Gender Queer" to students who lose access to the book at RSU 56. He added extra funds could go toward students at MSAD 6 if they see the book banned as well.
PRINT: A Bookstore and Longfellow Books in Portland have contributed to the fundraiser Maine Writers and Publishers has to donate books.
"DDG Bookstore in Farmington was immediately supportive in terms of getting free copies of the book to high schoolers who would like to read it in RSU 56," Fay-LeBlanc said in an email.
MSAD 6 officials say the board will review copies of "It's Perfectly Normal" and vote on a potential ban on Sept. 6.
"Even though we have highly dedicated professionals... we are sensitive to the fact that we live in a community with different ideas," Carlow said.
Once "It's Perfectly Normal" is voted on, board members will take up "Gender Queer" for another review and separate vote for another date.
To watch the full MSAD 6 school board meeting, you can click here.