Conroe ISD Refuses to Remove Book Supporting Gender Fluidity in Children
Despite overwhelming calls from the community for its removal, the CISD Board voted to retain the book.
April 20, 2024
On April 16, Conservatives attended the Conroe ISD Board of Trustees Meeting in droves to show that the community does not agree with allowing books that normalize gender affirming surgeries and hormone blockers for minors. In question at this meeting was the book, Lily and Dunkin, by Donna Gephart. This book currently is available to 7th through 12th graders in CISD school libraries.
Lily and Dunkin is a fictional book that follows the story of Lily, whose given name is Tim. Lily was born a boy, but feels like a girl inside. Much of the book explores Lily’s desire to medically transition through the use of puberty blockers.
Here is how the story begins:
The book continues through Lily’s struggles to receive hormone blockers and condones children keeping this decision secret from their parents. It follows the friendship between Lily and Dunkin, a boy who at first believes that Lily is a girl.
View additional excerpts from Lily and Dunkin and more about the book’s plot in this excellent article from Michele Nuckolls of Two Moms and Some Books.
Especially alarming is the list of gender transitioning resources provided at the back of the book, including websites that offer options for children interested in the path of medical transition.
Testimony From the Community
Twenty-three community members testified to a standing-room-only crowd for removal of the book from CISD school libraries; five community members advocated for retaining the book. Speakers supporting removal of the book included:
Texas Representative Steve Toth (HD 15)
Two courageous detransitioners, Emilie Schmitt and Abel Garcia
Texas Youth Summit Founder and President, Christian Collins
Pastor Trent Smith of Conroe Church
Gabrielle Clark, who seeks lawyers for those who are detransitioning
Precinct 2 Chair Kent Frappier and Precinct 4 Chair Nelson Reyes
Many other Conservative Republicans
“Books like the one in question, and many others in the same genre, are placing our students at great risk at this time in their lives,” explained Frappier, a former Oak Ridge High School teacher. “When does this slippery slope end? Books are meant to educate and not indoctrinate.
“As a community, do we really want this material available so easily to such an impressionable group? Books like these are like crying fire in a crowded theater. They just pour gasoline on a subject that should be between parent and child,” he continued.
Representative Toth reminded the board that SB 14, which became effective September 1, 2023, made the practice of gender modification of children illegal in Texas. He said, “Respectfully, I ask you to consider that this practice is in fact illegal in the state of Texas, yet this book is still in the hands of young and impressionable children.”
Emilie Schmitt, a 25-year-old detransitioner, said “As a child I was groomed to be trans. My school had a huge part in this. Media similar to the book, Lily and Dunkin, led me to have gender dysphoria at 14 years old. Soon my whole life became surrounded by trans everything. This led me to believe that my body was wrong and needed fixing with surgeries and hormones. All I ever really needed was for somebody to tell me it was OK to be a tomboy, but instead I was walked down a path of suicidal ideations and anxiety due to media like this book that you have available to 7th graders.”
Another detransitioner, Abel Garcia, said “This book teaches students nothing but to hate themselves, their bodies, and to hate anyone who disagrees with their transgender ideology. I speak from my personal experience as a detransitioner. Gender affirming care did not save me. It harmed me. It has caused lifelong consequences because I trusted so-called medical professionals. While I transitioned as an adult, I am currently dealing with genital atrophy, possible sterilization, muscle tremors, just to name a few side effects. If I, as an adult, am dealing with these side effects, I have no hope for these students who transition as minors.”
Level 3 Hearing on Lily and Dunkin
A Level 3 Hearing was held at the end of the board meeting to determine whether to remove the book from all CISD libraries. Michele Nuckolls presented evidence supporting the removal of Lily and Dunkin. Dr. Jarod Lambert presented on behalf of the Conroe ISD Book Reconsideration Committee, which had voted unanimously to retain the book.
Additional Data and Talking Points
Trustee Theresa Wagaman (Position 5) left the board meeting during a break just before the hearing, leaving six participating board members. A motion was made by Trustee Tiffany Nelson to remove Lily and Dunkin from Conroe ISD libraries.
The final vote was tied at 3 for removal and 3 against, resulting in no action taken:
Tiffany Nelson (Position 1) - yes to removal
Melissa Dungan (Position 2) - yes to removal
Misty Odenweller (Position 3) - yes to removal
Datren Williams (Position 4) - no to removal
Theresa Wagaman (Position 5) - no vote, left the board meeting just before the hearing
Stacey Chase (Position 6) - no to removal
Skeeter Hubert (Position 7) - no to removal
This is why local elections are so important and why we must get out the vote for Conservative Republicans. Trustee Positions 4-7 are up for election in November.
After the removal vote failed, Trustee Misty Odenweller (Position 3) made a motion to amend the Reconsideration Committee’s decision by removing the book from junior high libraries and keeping it in the high schools. This motion again failed with the same members voting against removal.
During board discussion, Trustee Datren Williams (Position 4) derided those who testified, stating, “I hear words like indoctrination. I hear words like we’re encouraging or we’re putting kids in harm’s way. I think it’s all silly.” He later continued, “I keep hearing community values. What’s community values? Conservative Christian values? White values? What does that mean?”
The book quotes below are just some of what the board voted to keep in the CISD libraries for 7th graders and older. Would you want your 7th grader reading this?
Meanwhile, Texas Scorecard reported that Conroe ISD Superintendent, Dr. Curtis Null, is receiving a board-approved salary of $356,957, “leaving taxpayers wondering what they are getting for their money.”
Public comment begins at 22:00
You can begin watching the hearing at 3:00:00
Trustee Datren Williams’ comments begin at 3:40:00.