West Central Reporter

Christopher Hicks, a former Sawyerville resident, has slammed Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris' condemnation of a Florida measure to prohibit public schools from discussing sexual orientation with young children.

“Democrats are once again advocating for unnecessary legislation that discusses sexual orientation and gender identity for an age group that should be focused on learning basic academia," Hicks told West Central Reporter. "Parents should be comfortable sending their children to school to learn and be educated instead of worrying that their children could be groomed to change their sexual orientation and gender identification.”

“It is highly inappropriate for Harris or any other elected official to advocate for such a controversial subject such as sexual orientation and gender identity among such a younger-aged audience," Hicks added. "Students should be focused on learning curriculum such as math, science, English and other subjects that will help students become well-rounded individuals. This bill simply states an age limit should be placed on certain discussions, especially those involving sexual orientation and gender identity.”

Harris downplayed the measure in a tweet, saying, "I'm proud that in Illinois we protect our LGBTQ families, teach our history and stand with our LGBTQ youth."

The Parental Rights in Education bill was favored by both chambers, with House votes tallied at 69-47, and the Senate passing it 22-17. The bill will be implemented on July 1.

Adults engaging with young children about sex is a "grooming behavior ... parents should recognize," according to Kristin Jenson of Defend Young Minds, an anti-child-sex-abuse organization.

Last year, the availability of Maia Kobabe's book, Gender Queer, in libraries across the state caused an uproar at the local school board level. The book includes explicit illustrated graphic gay sex scenes that have been the source of national fervor. Concerned parents across the country have pointed to Kobabe’s work as gratuitously sexual and unnecessary for schoolchildren. Many communities in Illinois, such as the concerned parents in Downers Grove 99, are questioning its place, and the place for other such books, in public education.