Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Internewscast Journal
  • Home
  • US News
  • Local News
  • Health
  • People
  • Guest Post
  • Support Our Cause
Home Local news Authors Challenge Federal Court Decision on ‘Tango Makes Three’ Book Ban
  • Local news

Authors Challenge Federal Court Decision on ‘Tango Makes Three’ Book Ban

    Authors appeal ‘Tango Makes Three’ book ban ruling in federal court
    Up next
    Kelly Clarkson is 'healed' by a celebrity after admitting she feels intense grief over the death of her ex-husband
    Kelly Clarkson Finds Comfort in a Celebrity’s Support After Expressing Deep Sorrow Over Her Ex-Husband’s Passing
    Published on 04 October 2025
    Author
    Internewscast
    Tags
    • And Tango Makes Three,
    • appeal,
    • Authors,
    • Ban,
    • Book,
    • Book Bans,
    • court,
    • Education,
    • escambia county,
    • Federal,
    • Florida,
    • lgbtq,
    • makes,
    • Politics,
    • ruling,
    • Tango,
    • three
    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Friday, lawyers representing the authors of a book and a student swiftly appealed a federal judge’s decision that dismissed a First Amendment challenge regarding a 2023 ruling by the Escambia County School Board to remove the book “And Tango Makes Three” from school libraries.

    Just three days after the decision by Chief U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor, the attorneys filed an appeal for authors Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, along with the student, referred to as B.G. in the case documents.

    As is typically the case, the appeal notice does not specify the arguments the plaintiffs plan to present to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, it marks the continuation of legal battles over book removals in Escambia County and other Florida regions.

    [WATCH: Is banning books a solution or a problem? (from 2023)]

    “And Tango Makes Three,” a story about two male penguins raising a chick at Central Park Zoo, has become central in ongoing discussions. The plaintiffs claim it was singled out due to its portrayal of same-sex parents raising a child.

    In a brief submitted in February, the plaintiffs’ attorneys contended that the Escambia board infringed upon First Amendment rights by pulling the book from libraries due to “unlawful viewpoint discrimination.” They argued for its reinstatement across five school libraries where it had been available.

    The brief emphasized that, besides accurately portraying penguin behavior, “Tango” highlights family values, adoption, and parental responsibility. The trial evidence, it stated, would show that authors Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson aimed to express that same-sex relationships and families are valid, capable of happiness and health, and that same-sex couples can successfully adopt and nurture children.

    [WATCH: A battle over books: Central Florida parents clash over books in schools]

    But in his 18-page ruling Tuesday, Winsor wrote that “there is no view of the facts that could support plaintiffs’ claim that the board engaged in unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination or otherwise violated the First Amendment with respect to Tango.”

    Winsor, who is based in Tallahassee, wrote that the “government does not create a forum for others’ speech by purchasing books for a public library.”

    “The author plaintiffs have no First Amendment right to speak through the library, and B.G. has no First Amendment right to receive the author plaintiffs’ message through the library,” the ruling said. “Nor do the author plaintiffs have a First Amendment right to demand the library ignore the book’s viewpoint when determining whether to include it in its collection.”

    Winsor added that the ruling “does not, of course, keep the book (or any viewpoint in it) from B.G. or any other student. … The Escambia County School Board has simply decided students wanting this particular book will have to get it elsewhere.”

    Escambia County has been a battleground as school districts in various parts of Florida have removed or restricted access to books. Parents, authors, the publishing company Penguin Random House and the free-speech group PEN American Center, Inc. also have filed a broader lawsuit contending that Escambia County book decisions violated the First Amendment. That case remains pending.

    Breaking News Alerts

    More Stories Like This In Our Email Newsletter

    Share this @internewscast.com
    FacebookXRedditPinterest
    You May Also Like
    Trump tests GOP pressure points with beef, DOJ moves
    • Local news

    Trump Challenges GOP Dynamics Amid Legal Battles and DOJ Decisions

    President Trump’s recent series of audacious moves is testing the boundaries within…
    • Internewscast
    • October 26, 2025
    New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani rallies voters with support from Bernie Sanders and AOC
    • Local news

    Zohran Mamdani Gains Momentum in NYC Mayoral Race with Endorsements from Bernie Sanders and AOC

    NEW YORK – As New York’s mayoral race intensifies, candidate Zohran Mamdani…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Trump defies 'America First' agenda with Argentina beef plan
    • Local news

    Trump’s Argentina Beef Strategy Challenges ‘America First’ Principles

    President Trump is stepping away from his “America First” trade principles by…
    • Internewscast
    • October 26, 2025
    NFC South-leading Bucs look to bounce back against struggling Saints
    • Local news

    Resilient Bucs Aim for Redemption Against Faltering Saints in NFC South Showdown

    NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Despite Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers expressing frustration…
    • Internewscast
    • October 26, 2025

    Urgent Alert: SNAP Funds Deplete by Nov. 1 – What’s Next for WIC Recipients?

    The ongoing government shutdown is casting a shadow over the lives of…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Danville Police Dept. issues safety reminders ahead of Halloween
    • Local news

    Stay Safe This Halloween: Danville Police Share Essential Safety Tips for Trick-or-Treaters

    As Halloween approaches, law enforcement agencies throughout Central Illinois are emphasizing the…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Coroner responding to office involved shooting at Sprint Gas station in North Augusta
    • Local news

    Breaking: Coroner Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting at North Augusta’s Sprint Gas Station

    NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — An officer-involved shooting took place at a gas…
    • Internewscast
    • October 26, 2025
    Champaign Co. group works to reduce crime,  support community members
    • Local news

    Empowering Champaign: Innovative Crime Reduction and Community Support Strategies Unveiled

    In Champaign County, Illinois, the organization DREAAM is making significant strides in…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    When can I can go trick-or-treating in Central Illinois?
    • Local news

    Trick-or-Treating Times Announced for Central Illinois

    With Halloween just around the corner, Central Illinois is gearing up for…
    • Internewscast
    • October 26, 2025
    History made, Masters Tournament invitation earned at Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship
    • Local news

    Historic Win at Asia-Pacific Amateur: Masters Tournament Awaits Champion

    DUBAI – In a thrilling comeback, 20-year-old Fifa Laopakdee from Thailand overcame…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Anthony Nelson and the Buccaneers' defense shine in a 23-3 victory over the struggling Saints
    • Local news

    Anthony Nelson Leads Buccaneers’ Defense to Dominant 23-3 Triumph Against Saints

    NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Anthony Nelson delivered a standout performance for the…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Firefighter, officer attacked by armed man in Wrightsville
    • Local news

    Firefighter and Officer Assaulted by Armed Individual in Wrightsville

    WRIGHTSVILLE, Ga. – In the quiet hours close to midnight, a startling…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan quits Paramount
    • News

    Yellowstone Creator Taylor Sheridan Departs Paramount

    In a significant move within the entertainment industry, Taylor Sheridan, the…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Pastor McCoy Caught Lying About Son in Charlie Kirk's Shooting
    • US

    Controversy Unveiled: Pastor McCoy’s False Claims About Son in Charlie Kirk Shooting Incident

    The narrative surrounding the Charlie Kirk shooting continues to unravel after video…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Suspect with lengthy rap sheet arrested for alleged Pam Bondi 'murder-for-hire' scheme: FBI
    • US

    FBI Arrests Notorious Suspect in Alleged Pam Bondi Murder-for-Hire Plot

    A Minnesota man with a record of violent behavior is now facing…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Packers DE Micah Parsons Is The Favorite For Defensive Player Of The Year
    • Business

    Packers’ Defensive End Micah Parsons Emerges as Leading Contender for Defensive Player of the Year Award

    Micah Parsons is redefining what it means to push the limits of…
    • Internewscast
    • October 27, 2025
    Internewscast Journal
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • DMCA Notice
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Guest Post
    • Support Our Cause
    Copyright 2023. All Right Reserverd.