Florida teacher under investigation for reading gay bunny book to kids
The Florida teacher is in trouble for reading John Oliver’s pro-LGBT book A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo (Chronicle Books)
A teacher in Florida is being investigated by their school after reading a book about gay rabbits to their first-grade class.
The teacher at Pinecrest Elementary School, outside Orlando, read A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo a few weeks ago, according to Florida TV station WFTV.
The parody book, which was created by the writers of HBO show Last Week Tonight with John Oliver last year, follows Vice President Mike Pence’s rabbit, Marlon Bundo, as he falls in love with another male rabbit and decides to spend the rest of his life with him.
It has raised money for LGBT+ charities The Trevor Project and AIDS United.
Watch Florida station WFTV report on the investigation:
Parents complained after finding out their six- and seven-year-old kids had been read the book, which has not been approved by the Seminole County School District authorities.
The teacher has been allowed to continue working during the internal investigation.
Officials said they would not comment on the investigation until it was complete.
Book which led to Florida investigation has wonderful history
A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo was created as a direct response to Marlon Bundo’s Day in the Life of the Vice President, written by the vice president’s daughter Charlotte Pence and illustrated by his wife Karen Pence.
It has repeatedly been used to send a pro-LGBT message.
Earlier this year, The Trevor Project sent 100 copies of A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo to second lady Karen Pence’s school, which bans queer students.
The website of Immanuel Christian School in Fairfax County, Virginia states that students can be refused admission if they support or take part in “sexual immorality, homosexual activity or bisexual activity.”
The Florida teacher was placed under investigation after reading a book about Marlon Bundo (MarlonBundo/Instagram)
Amit Paley, executive director of The Trevor Project, said: “We hope Immanuel Christian School will adopt policies of inclusion for LGBTQ young people that make them feel safe, accepted, and loved.”
And in March last year, the vice president’s daughter came out in support of Oliver’s book, which sold out just days after it was released.
“In all seriousness, his book is contributing to charities that I think we can all get behind.”
— Charlotte Pence
Speaking to Fox with her family’s rabbit, Charlotte Pence said: “I think imitation is the most sincere form of flattery in a way, but also, in all seriousness, his book is contributing to charities that I think we can all get behind.
“We have two books that are giving to charities that are both about bunnies, so I’m all for it, really.”
