Senate Bill 1277 would require schools to identify sexually explicit content in school curriculum and materials, notify parents that their child’s coursework includes such content, and give parents the power to opt their own children out of that coursework or prevent their child from viewing that particular book from the library.

This bill was introduced to address concerns from parents around the state that explicit content was included in their child’s curriculum, materials, or library books without their consent or knowledge. The following explicit examples were found in Pennsylvania school curriculum or libraries. They have been modified below from their original version to blur their explicit content. 

Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe

This book has been found in numerous Pennsylvania school libraries, including Warwick School District in Lancaster County, Kutztown High School in Berks County, North Penn School District in Montgomery County, West Chester School District in Chester County, Wissahickon School District in Montgomery County, Central Bucks in Bucks County, and many more.

It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris

This book has been found in numerous Pennsylvania school libraries, including Antietam Middle-Senior High School in Berks County, Hegins-Hubley Elementary School in Schuylkill County, Maureen Welch Elementary School in Bucks County, New Hanover-Upper Elementary School in Montgomery County, Newtown Elementary School in Bucks County, School Street Elementary School in McKean County, Smoketown Elementary School in Lancaster County, and many more.

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

This book was a required reading for an Honors Literature Class in a Westmoreland County school. The school board was unaware. This book has also been found in numerous school libraries throughout Pennsylvania.