Massachusetts law enforcement has issued an apology this week for conducting a search of an eighth-grade classroom for an LGBTQ+ book. The search was prompted by an unidentified individual’s complaint about the presence of the frequently challenged book Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer,” alleging that it contained explicit images.

The complaint was aimed at an eighth-grade classroom at W.E.B. Du Bois Regional Middle School. It resulted in a police visit, sparking discussions on censorship, LGBTQ rights, and the role of law enforcement in schools.

Massachusetts police search over “Gender Queer” book: what happened?

According to an investigation by The Daily Beast, body camera footage and police reports from the responding officer, was obtained by the news outlet. The anonymous complainant had expressed concerns about “images in a book they saw in a classroom,” describing it as having “illustrations of sexual content.” Additionally, the anonymous complainant asserted that they had witnessed a student sitting on the teacher’s lap and expressed concerns about the teacher and other staff “discussing subjects related to LGBTQ material and telling them not to tell their parents about it,” according to the report.

However, many found the Massachusetts police search response excessive, with one student seen holding a protest sign saying, “Are you really calling the cops over a book?,” according to the Berkshire Eagle. Civil rights attorneys also denounced the police search, describing the search as “unwarranted” and having a “chilling effect.” They argue that it should have never been considered for a criminal investigation in the first place.

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Before the officer’s visit, it is reported that Berkshire Hills Regional School District Superintendent Peter Dillon and principal Miles Wheat were alerted. Dillon did not object to the police visit, which ultimately led to the meeting between the officer and the eighth-grade English teacher, who was also associated with an LGBTQ club.

In response to the complaint, the targeted teacher stated that this was “a horrific lie-riddled homophobic attack on the only queer teacher, and our brave LGBTQ+ and ally students who enjoy a safe space in our voluntary Gender & Sexuality Alliance club.” She emphasised that the club activities were innocuous, involving activities like making paper snowflakes and drinking hot chocolate.

The teacher expressed her dismay at the situation, stating, she was “horrified that someone in our school community would have such hatred in their hearts to attack already marginalized teachers, students, and families.”

The officer’s body camera footage revealed a conversation between the teacher and the officer, during which the teacher mentioned that she couldn’t locate the book and suggested it might have been checked out by another teacher. The officer explained the concern was not the book’s general content but specific images that should not be presented to individuals under 18.

Excessive police response draws criticism

The incident prompted civil rights advocates and parents to express their concerns about book banning and the police’s role in such matters. Ruth Bourquin, senior and managing attorney at the ACLU of Massachusetts, told The Daily Beast that the incident was “a deeply concerning escalation of a vocal minority’s attempts to ban books that are by and about LGBTQ people, communities of color, and other marginalized groups.”

As the controversy unfolded, Dillon addressed parents in a December 14 email, acknowledging the need to address the situation but highlighted that the district was not interested in banning books.

School district and state leaders respond

In a letter addressed to the district on Tuesday, Dillon and School Committee Chair Stephen Bannon expressed their stance on the incident, stating, “The district does not support banning books.” They further stressed their commitment to fostering an inclusive and safe environment for all students.

The letter acknowledged the significant impact of the recent incident on the community and expressed regret over how it was handled, saying, “Faced with an unprecedented police investigation of what should be a purely educational issue, we tried our best to serve the interests of students, families, teachers, and staff. In hindsight, we would have approached that moment differently. We are sorry.”

It continued: “We can do better to refine and support our existing policies. We are committed to supporting all our students, particularly vulnerable populations.”

To facilitate community discussions on the incident, the district announced plans to hold several meetings, including one scheduled for the School Committee meeting on January 11th.

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Great Barrington Police Department Police Chief Paul Storti in a statement: “Over the years, our relationship with our schools has been positive and collaborative, so together we worked with the school to try to navigate this sensitive situation.” He added, “If our involvement caused distrust and alarm, that was not our intention. I promise you our actions were not meant to disenfranchise anyone or influence school curriculum.”

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey also spoke out saying that “book banning has no place in Massachusetts.”

“Our administration stands with educators who are committed to ensuring that their students have inclusive, comprehensive resources,” Healey said in a statement. “I’m proud to see these students stepping up to support their teacher, their peers and an inclusive learning environment.”

The book “Gender Queer” was one of the most banned books of the 2022 to 2023 school year, according to PEN America, facing 26 bans.

The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the balance between protecting students and respecting academic freedom, with voices both in support of and against the actions taken by law enforcement and school officials. As the investigation continues, questions remain about the anonymous complainant’s identity and the impact of the incident on the school community.