The fundies will use this to make even more people hate and fear gays and make them think that gays are somehow after children. I'm surprised this book ever even got on the shelf in the South (it certainly won't any more). I feel sorry for the principal and the school district as well, who will lose tons of money and probably their jobs. It's just amazing...they really are making sure that gays are spit on by every corner of society. They're doing a bang-up job so far this year.
http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/03/031804bookFlap.htm
(Wilmington, North Carolina) A popular children's book is under fire in a North Carolina school district and the parents of one child say they may put their child in another school system to keep her from hearing about gays.
The flap began when a first grader brought home the book "King & King" from the school library. The book, aimed at students from 6 years of age, is fairy tale about a prince whose true love turns out to be another prince.
Michael Hartsell said he and his wife, Tonya, say they could not believe that the Wilmington school district would permit children to read material "about homosexuality".
In the book, by Linda De Haan and Stern Nijland, Prince Bertie searches for love through a bevy of eligible princes before falling for Prince Lee. The 32 page book ends with the two princes sharing a kiss.
"I was flabbergasted," Michael Hartsell said. "My child is not old enough to understand something like that, especially when it is not in our beliefs."
The book has been on the shelf in the library at Freeman Elementary School since early last year, and the school has ordered a sequel, "King & King & Family".
"What might be inappropriate for one family, in another family is a totally acceptable thing," said Elizabeth Miars, Freeman's principal.
The Hartsells said they are keeping the book until they get assurances it won't be circulated. But Miars said all county schools have a committee that reviews books after their appropriateness is questioned, and the Hartsells must make a written complaint and return the book for review.
The Hartsells said they intend to file such a complaint and are considering transferring their daughter.