TAMPA, FLORIDA — Parents who challenged a sexually explicit book saw their personal information published on the Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) website in advance of Tuesday’s special board meeting to vote on removing the book.
The book challenge forms the parents filled out – which required they list their full name, phone number, email and home address – were included in the meeting agenda online. None of this personal information was redacted when the forms were posted.
The Florida Standard spoke with two parents who claim they never consented to the district sharing their information publicly, either in advance of the meeting or upon filing a challenge request. One parent declined to provide comment and preferred not to be named for fear of further repercussions.
“THIS IS INTIMIDATION”
The board voted 4–3 in favor of prohibiting This Book is Gay from all middle schools in the district. The book teaches students how to use adult hookup apps and techniques for different kinds of sex.
Opponents of the book have routinely been called “hateful” by those who think 11-year-olds should be reading it. One LGBTQ activist claimed the issue was part of Governor Ron DeSantis’ “white supremacist agenda” to “genocide” homosexuals and those confused about their genders.
After Tuesday’s meeting, a Left-wing activist called out the parents by name on social media and directed followers to look at the meeting agenda in order to see their information.
“This is intimidation, whether intentional or not. The district should know that,” said Julie Gebhards, one of the parents who challenged the book. “The chilling effect that this action will have in silencing parents is counter-productive and anti-democratic.”
Gebhards and her husband pulled their children out of the district after she discovered a litany of sexually explicit books available to young students. She has since launched an Instagram page exposing pornography in school libraries. Gebhards regularly communicates with board members at meetings and via email.
DO SUNSHINE LAWS REQUIRE DOXING?
On Tuesday evening, Gebhards emailed the district and asked to have the information taken down. She was told that the matter would be looked into, but that “there are rules and regulations that must be followed related to the Sunshine Laws.”
Sunshine Laws are Florida statutes related to government transparency. Two different legal experts told The Florida Standard that they did not believe anything in the Sunshine Laws would require the district to publicize the challenges without a public records request.
The information was removed from the HCPS website on Wednesday morning.
A spokesperson for the district did not respond to a request for comment.
