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Who is Elana Elster? NYC principal slammed for defending 'pornographic' book in middle school library

Dr Elana Elster, principal of Booker T Washington Middle School, apparently said in an email that 'This Book is Gay' will be beneficial for students

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A New York City public school principal has courted controversy for defending a sexually explicit book, saying that it has been kept in the middle school library for children to explore "new and different ideas" and "expand their horizons." Dr Elana Elster, principal of the Booker T Washington Middle School, apparently defended the book, titled 'This Book is Gay', when approached by a concerned parent.

Written by Juno Dawson, the 2014 novel explores nonheteronormative sexuality in a humourous manner and discusses orgies, kinks, and sex apps, according to Fox News. As per its Google Books listing, it "gives an uncensored look at what it's like to grow up as LGBT" and includes testimonials from people across the gender and sexuality spectrums. Visual artist Spike Gerrell has contributed to the book with some explicit illustrations. The presence of the book in the school's middle school library had raised concerns amongst a few parents who had reportedly reached out to Dr Elster with their reservations. However, as per a tweet by the popular handle 'Libs of TikTok', Dr Elster has defended the presence of the book in a library that is accessed by children as young as 12 years of age. 

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Sharing a screenshot of an email they claim was written by Dr Elster, Libs of TikTok tweeted, "NYC middle school principal confirms in an email that the school offers the pornographic book “This Book is Gay” and have no plans of removing it." The tweet added that the book "teaches kids about gay sex and encourages the use of sex apps." Along with the email, the tweet also contains images of some pages from the book.

Part of the email reads, "I am wondering if you are referring to the exposure your child is getting to people and the ideas that are new and different. This is a public school and the children will be continuously exposed." The email concludes with Dr Elster acknowledging that 'This Book is Gay' is "in our library catalog, and we have no plans to remove it." 

Who is Elana Elster?

An employee of the NYC Department of Education for over three decades, Dr Elana Elster joined as a teacher at the Booker T Washington Middle School in 1993 and has been serving as the school's principal since 2005. She completed her MEd and EdD from Teachers College, Columbia University, and has a bachelor's degree in Arts and Science, both of which she pursued at Pennsylvania University. She joined the NYC Department of Education in September 1987 and continues to work as an educator. 

However, despite her long involvement in academia and credentials, Libs of TikTok's tweet has made her the target of severe criticism online. Several people have taken to social media to criticize her for the alleged email she sent to the concerned parent. Criticizing Dr Elster's views, conservative politician Courtney Geels wrote, "I'd like to know if they have a Bible in the school library." Echoing a similar sentiment, artist Deanna Maria R commented, "Why are kids being introduced/taught any kind of sex in middle school? See how fast it's removed when the school is hit in the wallet, pull kids out, place them in another school or home school (for those that are able). Schools' budgets depend on the numbers." Podcaster Craig Chamberlin tweeted, "The cognitive development of minors prevents them from proper risk decision making until at LEAST 18 years of age." 

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