The books were banned because they had a positive statement to make to kids about gay and lesbian people, because gay or lesbian people, in the eyes of some, cannot possibly be role models or heroes. At its core, this kind of suppression is anti-democratic and antithetical to the mission of a school and, particularly, of a school library, which is to encourage inquiry and broaden minds. This kind of censorship is offensive, cowardly, and damaging to students. Only the books about famous gay and lesbian persons were removed from the library and singled out for scrutiny by District officials. California public school students have rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and the California Constitution.
Schools can ensure that library books are age-appropriate and have educational value.
But they cannot ban books because of disapproval of the viewpoints or ideas expressed in the books such as the idea that gay and lesbian persons have made important contributions to the arts, sciences, and literature. Removing books that provide positive gay and lesbian role models even though the library has many books about famous people from other minority groups also violates this anti-discrimination law. I have heard Orangeview students using epithets such as 'faggot' as insults and using the expression, 'that's so gay,' to imply that an idea or action is foolish or ridiculous. Books such as the series, Lives of Notable Gay Men and Lesbians , can play an important role in helping to create a school environment in which homophobia, like racism and other biases, is addressed and challenged. Queer-themed books frequently inspire censors.