LGBTQ+ and allied families in Menomonee Falls are protesting the removal of Love Makes a Family, a book that shows several family structures, including those with two parents of the same gender, single parents, and others. The ban prompted a family of two women and their children to file a discrimination complaint against the Menomonee Falls School Board. According to TMJ4, the district’s HR director, school board, and superintendent dismissed the complaint. The parents are now taking their case to the Department of Public Instruction, a statewide agency, with the hope of having the book reinstated.

Milestorow.com, a website that is an inclusive children’s book club, says of the book, “This fun, inclusive board book celebrates the one thing that makes every family a family…and that’s LOVE. Love is baking a special cake. Love is lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book. In this exuberant board book, many different families are shown in happy activity, from an early-morning wake-up to a kiss before bed. Whether a child has two moms, two dads, one parent, or one of each, this simple preschool read-aloud demonstrates that what’s most important in each family’s life is the love the family members share.”

Board President Nina Christensen read the following statement aloud at a school board meeting on December 9, “The Menomonee Falls School Board is aware of concerns about how a specific appeal is moving through our internal processes. Given the nature of the complaint, the board wishes to avoid any implications of bias or impartiality in decision-making. Thus, the board directed the appeal to the Department of Instruction, which is part of the process. The School District of Menomonee Falls looks forward to the DPI’s decision.” As of January 2, the DPI had yet to publicly weigh-in.