“Besides the point of being totally evil, this is not what we need to be teaching kids. They aren't at school to be brainwashed into thinking homosexuality is okay.” That's what PENNCREST School District board member, David Valesky had to say on Facebook about a five book display, recognizing and educating LGBT people, at Maplewood Junior and Senior High School.

That's why PENNCREST District graduate, Melanie Weed is speaking out and petitioning for Valesky and another board member to step down. "If you're going to put yourself in a place where you answer to the public, be ready to answer to the public,” Weed said.

She says comments like these put LGBT youth at risk of bullying and violence.

The Superintendent for PENNCREST tells Erie News Now the librarians put together displays for different times of year. In addition to a Pride display, there are also ones up for baseball, American music, and anti-bullying.

We reached out to school board member Luigi DeFrancesco, who shared the original post.

In an email, he says he doesn't know why some are calling for his resignation and the only controversy is about Valesky's personal opinions.

"Personal opinions are for tea and coffee. They don't get kids killed,” said Weed in response to the email.

Community members have differing thoughts. One man says he's fine with the books being in the library but they shouldn't be displayed. "It doesn't bother me that the books are there. What does bother me is that the teachers that are there may push the LGBTQ thing. As long as they don't push it, I don't have a problem with it,” Meadville resident, Michael Harry said.

Others say not displaying inclusive books will cause more harm than good. "If they take those books away or say they can't have them it may make the kids that are a part of that group feel forgotten about,” Zackary Fronce told Erie News Now.

The petition has over 3,500 signatures. Weed says she hopes this reminds LGBT kids they have people in their corner. "We have to do better for them than what was done for us. We owe that to the upcoming generation. The best place to start that is at school,” said Weed.