The OP twists the truth concerning the literature found on GLSEN's reading list. But before providing my 2-cents worth, let me state for the record I had never heard of GLSEN until just one hour ago when upon finding this thread I did some research on the orginzation. For those who may be interested, you can learn more about this organization at their website,
GLSEN. From there, you can click on the eductor link to find their reading list.
The "list" isn't a casual book list persa. It's a summary review of sorts of the books GLSEN recommends to educators as reference material to help children of all ages better cop with some of the more sexually oriented aspects of their lives ranging from a young child who has two same-sex parents to child sexual abuse to dealing with questions concerning gender, sexuality and sexual-orientation. And yes, some of the reading material is very graphic in nature. However, as I eluded to concerning the OP, I don't believe neither GLSEN nor it's president, Kevin Jennings, are promoting child pornography in the classroom, but instead are attempting to make literature that addresses the different aspects of gender, sexuality, sexual abuse and sexual orientation available to educators, parents, students of all ages who have problems discussing these delicate yet troubling issues.
Now, to the OP. Most (if not all) of the books mentioned therein are on the 7-12 reading list, not the K-6 reading list. Furthermore, as far as I've been able to determine none of the books are in public school libraries. (Of course, I could be wrong, but I doubt it since a "reading list" is just that - a list.) Therefore, I believe the OP as well as the thread title is purposefully misleading. To be fair, this isn't the first time GLSEN has promoted their recommended reading list to the public school system. In fact, from what I've been able to discover, the National Education Association has been accepting books from GLSEN's reading list for years. But, of course, it's not until Mr. Jennings becomes the President's Schools Czar does anyone pay attention to the matter. :roll:
As to my personal opinion on the matter, there's no way I'd support some of the literature recommended by GLSEN in public school libraries. As this linked
website I've provided details, some of the recommended literature is quite graphic indeed and would support some of the concerns mentioned in the OP. But, the OP does over aggsagerate the issue at hand. If given the opportunity my vote would be "nay" on allowing the literature summarized on the linked website to be available on school library shelves. However, I wouldn't have a problem with school counselors or librarians having a list of such literature as a reference source to parents and/or students who are having problems coping with such subject matter material. For me, it's a matter of venue, not content I find troubling. Based on what I've discovered in my brief research, I just don't think such material should be available at public schools, but making such literature available at public and/or college libraries would be fine. Just not in public schools.
Bottom Line: I wouldn't go balistic over this unless and until you've actually found a few of the more disturbing books on the libary shelf at your child's public school. Until then, it's just a list...nothing more. Maybe you segment the list to "speciality reading", but until such material finds its way onto public school library shelves, I don't think we have much of a problem here. Besides, there are students out there who are having difficult times dealing with such subject matter issues. I see no problem with them being able to go to a librarian as recommended by their guidence counselor (or even their teacher) and asking for the appropriate literature to help them better deal with their problem. But in all cases involving students K-12, the parent should ALWAYS be involved.