Headteacher who banned LGBTQ-themed books in schools faces child pornography charges
Phillip Wilson tried to ban books with 'homosexual content' at his Kentucky school
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
A headteacher who banned LGBTQ-themed books in his school faces child pornography charges.
Phillip Todd Wilson used to be in charge of the Montgomery County High School in Kentucky and around a decade ago he banded with others to ban books with LGBTQ themes which were to be used for teenagers in English classes.
As well as banning books with ‘homosexual content’, he also tried to block any books with references to drugs, sex, child abuse and suicide.
These included the likes of ‘Twisted’ by Laurie Halse Anderson, ‘Deadline’ by Christ Crutcher, ‘Lessons from a Dead Girl’ by Jo Knowles and ‘Unwind’ by Neal Shusterman.
Now, according to NBC News, the former headteacher has been charged of 17 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography by Kentucky state police.
Knowles took to Facebook after news of Wilson’s arrest and wrote: “The principal of the Kentucky high school who fought to ban my book, ‘Lessons from a Dead Girl’ (for ‘homosexual and other inappropriate content’) along w/ bks by Laurie Halse Anderson, Chris Crutcher & Neal Schusterman was just arrested on child pornography charges (possession and distribution).
“I was a very new author at the time all this happened and the press coverage was overwhelming.
“I was horrified by the accusations he and the superintendent made. And heartbroken for the brave teacher, Risha Allen Mullins who stood up for our books and faced so much unfair criticism.
“I am having a lot of feelings right now. As I said to some friends last night when I got the news, ‘You can’t make this s**t up.’”