Update: my talk wasn& #39;t just cancelled because a parent complained that Harvey Milk was included in my book- it was cancelled because Janet Mock is also included. Excluding LGBTQ+ people and topics from schools is systemic discrimination- and it hurts kids. https://twitter.com/Katlyn_eSmith/status/1194689698763030528">https://twitter.com/Katlyn_eS...
The decision to cancel sends a message that LGBTQ+ people are somehow dangerous, taboo, or otherwise inappropriate. A specific parental warning that this book is inclusive of people who are LGBTQ+ would convey that same message.
There are some awful things being said about LGBTQ people in Wheaton. If it& #39;s being sent to me, I imagine local teens have seen it too and that breaks my heart. I hope the district will make a statement opposing this kind of hateful rhetoric and supporting their LGBTQ students.