Sen John Kennedy reads pornographic passages from LGBT children’s books out loud in Congress

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing titled "How censorship limits liberty and literature." Among those in attendance were officials from Illinois who recently passed a law prohibiting parents from being able to remove pornographic books from their children's schools. 

A number of prominent Republicans used their time to read from such books in an attempt to convince lawmakers that some content is, in fact, inappropriate for certain age groups.

"Let's take two books that have been much discussed," Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy said, holding up passages from "Genderqueer" and "All Boys Aren't Blue."

"I put some lube on and got him on his knees, and I began to slide into him from behind," Kennedy said, quoting from the latter text. "I pulled out of him and kissed him while he masturbated. He asked me to turn over while he slipped a condom on himself."

"This was my ass," Kennedy continued, still quoting, "and I was struggling to imagine someone inside. He got on top and slowly inserted himself into me; it was the worst pain I think I have ever felt in my life. Eventually I felt a mix of pleasure with pain."

Kennedy switched over to Genderqueer, reading a sexually explicit passage about using a strap-on dildo.

"I am going to give you the blowjob of your life, then I want you inside of me," he quoted, entering those words into the Congressional record.

"Are you suggesting that only librarians should decide whether the two books I just referenced should be available to kids?" Kennedy asked Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

"With all due respect, senator, the words you spoke are disturbing, especially coming out of your mouth," Giannoulias replied.

He claimed that he and others were not advocating for such content to be read by children, rather they wanted to prevent "random parents" from having the ability "under the guise of keeping kids safe" to "challenge" the inclusion of such material in libraries and curriculum.

"Placing common sense age restrictions on pornographic content or removing sexually explicit books from school curriculum and school libraries; is that book banning?" Utah Sen. Mike Lee asked during another part of the hearing.

"No sir," an official replied. 

Lee pointed out that school districts who decide to remove certain texts are "acting in response to legitimate parental concerns."

"Shame on them if they don't [remove the books], and shame on those who want to groom children sexually," he concluded.