MSU Students Fight Banning Of Book On Homosexuality; They Will Perform At Watchung Booksellers

A group of Montclair State University students and alumni is fighting attempts to ban a critically acclaimed anthology of writings about teenage homosexuality from school libraries after some critics described it as obscene. This group will perform Revolutionary Readings, a theatrical performance of Revolutionary Voices: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology, at Watchung Booksellers on August 19 at 7 p.m. The literary anthology, edited by Amy Sonnie and authored by LGTBQ [lesbian, gay, transgendered, bisexual, questioning] youth aged 14 to 26, already has been banned at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

News reports have said the prohibition came on the heels of a campaign to ban the book at schools and libraries by the local chapter of conservative talk show host Glenn Beck's 9.12 project. Local grandmother and 9.12 member Beverly Marinelli told the Philadelphia Inquirer that the book was "pervasively vulgar, obscene, and inappropriate," while insisting that she is "not a homophobe."

When asked about the book, the 9.12 project emailed a statement that said only that: "I can tell you that the 912 Project has not posted anything about banning this book or any book. We did not campaign to ban this book or any book."

Brandon Monokian, who founded and directed Revolutionary Readings, said he is attempting to invalidate criticsm that the book is obscene and pornographic, as well as to inspire an overturn in the decisions to have the book banned both at Rancocas Valley Regional High School as well as at the Burlington County Public Library.

"The argument is that it's pornographic and it's not," he said.

Felice Harrison, a spokeswoman for the Montclair Public School District, said she's never heard of the book. And the Montclair Public Library also reported that they hadn't heard of it and that they don't stock it.

Monokian, who lives in Clifton, said he's organized a troop of actors who are working together to read selections from the book.

"I feel like young people have to have access to this book," he said, noting that even "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" is set in a whorehouse.

In Revolutionary Voices, there are extremely honest often touching stories from a wide variety of personalities including a boy who lies awake at night practicing to be more masculine.

"It's a very beautiful text and something that people should be exposed to," said Monokian, who graduated from MSU in December with a degree in theatre studies.

The cast of Revolutionary Readings is a collective of young theatre artists primarily consisting of former and current Montclair State University Students, but also featuring talent from Philadelphia, South Jersey, and New York.

In the defense of this book and a handful of similar books, a coalition of organizations have written to the Rancocas school board: "There are undoubtedly LGTBQ students at Rancocas Valley High School, regardless of whether they are openly recognised. Removing any of these titles would send a clear message to those students that they are the objects of social disapproval—different, vulnerable, and marginal—whose needs for information of particular relevance to their lives are not respected."

The letter, the signatories to which include the National Coalition Against Censorship, the National Council of Teachers of English, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the Association of American Publishers and PEN America, added that there was "no question that these books are not obscene".

"No one has to read something just because it's on the library shelf," the letter continued. "No book is right for everyone, and the role of the library is to allow students to make choices according to their own interests, experiences, and family values ... Even if the books are too mature for some students, they will be meaningful to others."

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the local 9.12 group is now looking to get Revolutionary Voices removed from the Lenape regional high school district, the county's largest school district. 

For more information please check out www.revolutionaryreadings.com or follow them on twitter at www.twitter.com/revreadings