In August 2024, the Brevard County School District in Florida decided to ban several books, including the first volume of the manga Sasaki and Miyano by Sho Harusono.
This decision followed the passing of House Bill 1069, which allows school boards to review and potentially remove instructional materials related to gender and sexuality.
Despite the Florida Book Review Committee’s recommendation to keep the manga in school libraries, the school board voted 3-2 to remove it.
The decision was influenced by objections to the depiction of a relationship between two male high school students, even though the manga does not contain explicit content.
One of the board members argued that the content could be harmful to students, suggesting that exposure to such material might lead to struggles with sexual identity, self-esteem, and relationships.
They also expressed concerns that the manga might encourage readers to embrace a particular sexual orientation.
The board member believed that discussions about homosexuality should be limited to the home environment rather than being presented in schools.
The same member’s arguments extended to Damsel by Elana K. Arnold, another banned book, which contains graphic depictions of rape.
Brevard County School Board member Jennifer Jenkins strongly opposed the ban and expressed her concerns on social media, warning that the ban could set a dangerous precedent for further censorship.
She criticized the decision, highlighting the broader implications of such actions.
Interestingly, the board suggested several alternative manga titles, including Sailor Moon, which features a lesbian romance, and Chainsaw Man, known for its violent content, raising questions about the consistency of their criteria for what is considered appropriate.
The Sasaki and Miyano manga, which portrays a gentle and non-explicit romance between two boys, is available in English through Yen Press, while its anime adaptation and sequel film can be streamed on platforms like Prime Video and Crunchyroll.
The ban has sparked discussions about the increasing trend of restricting manga and other media in schools, particularly when it comes to LGBTQ+ content.
