SW Iowa Times

A Waukee school board candidate who reportedly wanted to share the name of kids who checked out pro-LGBTQ books was defeated at the polls Nov. 2.

Vin Thaker was one of four conservative candidates supported by a political action committee Warriors and Wolves United, the Des Moines Register reported. All four of the candidates were defeated, the Register reported.

Thaker requested names of students who checked out pro-LGBT books, according to a story on the website Jezebel.

“This school board candidate wants the names of every high school student who checks out LGBTQ books!" wrote a Twitter user named Andrea, citing the Jezebel report. "He wants to tell their parents and force them to explain why they read the book. It’s the equivalent to an enemies list."

The Waukee School District recently removed LGBTQ books from the Northwest High School library after someone asked to review the content, Axios Des Moines reported. The books were  "All Boys Aren't Blue," "Lawn Boy" and "Gender Queer."

The books will be reviewed to see if they are appropriate, district spokesperson Amy Varcoe told Axios. There's a national effort to remove the three books.

A community member, Amanda McClanahan, read excerpts from the books during a recent school board meeting, Axios reported. McClanahan is not a parent of a student in the school district.

On the Warrior and Wolves website, Thaker said he was born in Bahrain.

"I’m a proud immigrant and believe no matter where you come from, achieving the American dream is within your reach," he said.

Warriors and Wolves said on the website that it is opposed to teaching "gender fluidity" in the schools.

"A Shuler Elementary teacher read a book to his entire 5th grade class about 'gender misidentification' and went on to coach the students how to discuss the topic with their parents," Warriors and Wolves wrote.