DES MOINES, Iowa — Earlier this year, Iowa passed Senate File 496, which requires schools to remove books describing or including visual depictions of a sex act.
However, many schools said they've gotten little guidance from the Iowa Department of Education, leading to what opponents say are widespread "book bans".
Since the bill’s passage, people across Iowa have pushed the department to offer guidelines on how to comply with the law.
Some educators have said the law is unclear on whether that includes instruction of gender identity and sexual orientation.
Out of precaution and the lack of guidance, many Iowa schools have pulled LGBTQ+ from their school shelves.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds told questioning reporters the law is clear and went on to read out loud the definition of a sex act.
She referred to a specific book. "All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson, which is continually on banned book lists.
The book, which depicts sexual abuse, is a memoir about Johnson's experience as a young, gay Black man. Reynolds made a pointed statement on the book.
"We are way off course. Our kids and our teachers deserve better, they deserve these tools to help these kids succeed, not a damn distraction on a nasty, pornographic book, that should never, ever, be in a classroom,” Reynolds said.
“All Boys Aren’t Blue” is just one LGBTQ-focused book that has been pulled from many school shelves. Other titles have included “Gender Queer” and “This Book is Gay”.
Classic books have also been challenged, like 1984 and Brave New World and others that have long been taught in school.
Penalties for violating SF 496 go into effect on Jan. 1.
Offenders could get written warnings and even be called before the Iowa Board of Education Examiners for a hearing.
Sara Parris is the founder and president of Annie's Foundation. She said the confusion for many districts stems from the Board of Education's refusal to administer any guidance to school districts.
"Of course, it remains to be seen what guidance exactly is going to be provided, are they going to address whether or not LGBTQ books are banned, is that being considered under that portion of the law?" Parris said.
She said if and when the board does release guidance, it would be too little, too late, as most districts wouldn't have time to fully evaluate their books prior to the January 1st effective date.
Parris said Annie’s Foundation will continue fighting book bans in central Iowa school districts and work to remove any barriers to access to all books, especially those focused on underrepresented and marginalized communities.