Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, in a recent interview at the Juke Box Diner in Manassas, voiced strong disapproval of the National Education Association's (NEA) summer reading recommendations for educators. He specifically targeted the inclusion of the controversial book "Gender Queer," echoing concerns raised on Fox & Friends about the growing need for parental involvement in children's education.

Governor Youngkin connected the NEA's reading list to prior stances taken by the organization, including their advice to the Biden administration regarding school closures and their labeling of involved parents at school board meetings as potential threats. He highlighted these instances to underscore his belief that organizations like the NEA are prioritizing their own agendas over the wishes of parents.

The Governor emphasized the importance of the parental rights movement, which gained significant traction in Virginia and has since spread nationwide. He framed this as a pivotal issue that Republicans are now embracing, recognizing the widespread sentiment among Americans who believe parents should have the ultimate say in their children's education. Governor Youngkin underscored the need for parents to not just have a voice, but to lead the conversation.

The NEA's suggested reading list, released on Monday, included "Gender Queer" alongside other contentious titles. The list, titled "Great Summer Reads for Educators!" featured eleven books, including "White Fragility," which explores the concept of white Americans using defensive mechanisms to avoid addressing racial inequality. The list also included sections such as "books to help you forget about work" and "books to celebrate or help you understand Juneteenth." "Gender Queer" was specifically highlighted under a "banned books" section.