Fairfax County, Virginia’s largest school division, has faced scrutiny after appointing a “sex therapist” with a focus on “kinky” acts to the Challenged Materials Interdepartmental Review Committee. Laila Cooper, the appointed sex therapist, was given the role by Fairfax County School Board chair Karl Frisch, a known gay activist. The committee is responsible for evaluating and deciding on parent complaints about books that may be considered inappropriate for children.
Cooper’s professional background, which includes promoting an “affirming and social justice approach” with a focus on the LGBTQIA community, kink/BDSM, and non-monogamy, has sparked controversy. The appointment is seen by some parents as a signal that the school system may dismiss complaints about inappropriate materials.
In response to inquiries, Cooper acknowledged her recent appointment to the committee and subsequently stepped down to prevent political damage to Frisch. She emphasized that her decision to join the committee was driven by her concerns about access to diverse reading materials rather than her professional background as a licensed clinical psychologist.
Critics, however, argue that Cooper’s credentials, which involve providing paperwork for gender surgery and writing doctor’s notes for asylum cases, may introduce biases when evaluating complaints about obscene materials. Concerned parents worry that the appointment may lead to biased determinations on what is considered appropriate for school libraries, classrooms, sex-ed instruction, and after-school clubs.
One parent, Brooke Corbett, expressed skepticism about Frisch’s motivations in supporting individuals who normalize sexually explicit practices to children. Frisch, a career Democrat operative, has previously raised controversy, including swearing in for his second term with his hand on a stack of books depicting gay sex. Sexual orientation has been a primary focus of his policy interests.
Frisch’s unconventional fundraising methods, such as tapping into leftist activists across the country and raising $183,000 for a local school board race, have further fueled criticism. The controversy surrounding the appointment comes after a previous review committee voted to keep explicit content, including a cartoon depicting oral sex and a book discussing explicit sexual encounters, in Fairfax County schools.
As the community reacts to the contentious appointment, concerns about potential biases and the appropriateness of materials available to students in Fairfax County schools continue to be a focal point of debate.