Prairie State Wire

Explicit passages from books titled "Genderqueer" and "All Boys are Blue" were read during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on book bans.

“Sen. Kennedy reads passages from pornographic books Genderqueer and All Boys are Blue,” Greg Price said on X.

“The Illinois Sec. of State Alexi Giannoulias responds by saying ’those words are disturbing coming from your mouth.’”

“His state’s new law stops parents from being able to remove it from libraries.”

Price’s comments were in response to U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) reading the book.

“Take two books that have been much discussed,” Kennedy said on the U.S. Senate floor.

“The first one is called All Boys Aren’t Blue. And I will quote from it. ‘I put some lube on and got him on his knees and I began to slide into him from behind. I pulled out of him and kissed him while he masturbated. He asked me to turn over while he slipped the condom on himself. This was my ass, and I was struggling to imagine someone inside me. Yeah. He got on top and slowly inserted himself into me. It was the worst pain I think I have ever felt in my life. Eventually, I felt a mix of pleasure with the pain.’ Close quote. All boys aren’t blue.”

“The second is a another much discussed book. I’m sure you’re familiar with it. It’s called Genderqueer. Okay. Let me read an excerpt from that quote. ‘I got a new strap on strap on harness today. I can’t wait to put it on you. It will fit my favorite dildo perfectly. You’re going to look so hot. I can’t wait to have your cock in my mouth. I’m going to give you the blowjob of your life. Then I want you inside of me.’ End quote. Now. Mr. Secretary, what are you asking us to do? Are you suggesting? That only librarians should decide whether the two books. That I just referenced should be available to kids. Is that what you’re saying?”

Despite reprimanding Kenny about reading the graphic books out loud, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias has been a noted supporter of obscene books in libraries. Even though being previously called out by proponents of removing these books from public libraries, Giannoulias remains strongly supportive of the legislation prohibiting book bans.

“We urge Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to withdraw the Illinois Library Systems from the American Library Association and we urge all local libraries currently affiliated with the ALA to do the same. It is time to take a stand against the far-left corruption of our institutions,” the Illinois Freedom Caucus said in a press release, Prairie State Wire previously reported. 

The state has taken a proactive stance against book bans in public schools and libraries by enacting a law that prohibits such bans, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker highlighting it as the first of its kind, according to The New York Times.

The move comes amid a nationwide surge in book-banning efforts, particularly in Republican-led states, prompting Illinois to pass legislation that directs public libraries to adopt or craft their own versions of a library bill of rights, enforcing the principle that materials should not be removed due to partisan or doctrinal objections, and imposing potential penalties, including the loss of state funding, for non-compliance.