Community members within the Dearborn Public School District have been in heated debate over several LGBTQ-positive books and their availability to students. The debate in Dearborn came to a head at a school board meeting this week.

It’s not the first time a religious, conservative group has opposed the availability of books that include LGBTQ-positive stories and sentiments.

However, unlike we’ve seen before, many of those religious conservatives are Muslim. It's the first time someone other than Evangelicals and far-right constituents have been a sizeable force in the protests at the school board.

Reporter Niraj Warikoo provided some context on this multifaceted issue. We also heard from someone who's taken a stand in favor of age-appropriate, LGBTQ-positive books.

GUESTS:

• Niraj Warikoo, religion reporter, Detroit Free Press
• Jackson Wagner, member of Dearborn Adults for Inclusive Schools

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Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions.

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