LGBTQ+ Authors Dominate America’s Most Banned Books List, Again
LGBTQ+ authors have dominated a list of the most banned books in the United States, according to a study by America Ballpoint Pen has found.
PEN America tracked bans related to titles of 874 different authors in school libraries and classrooms in the United States from July 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022.
The most forbidden book was Gender Queer: A Memoir, which recounts Maia Kobabe’s “painful journey toward reconciliation with being nonbinary and asexual.” It was banned 30 separate times.
Banned 21 times was Not All Boys Are Blue by George M. Johnson, a memoir about growing up queer and black in America, according to Olxpraca.
The top five were completed with Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evanson Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez and The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, which explore issues of race. I was at number six Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin.
The study found that 1,145 unique book titles were affected by the ban, with books dealing with LGBTQ+ themes or featuring queer protagonists most often affected.
“Titles that explicitly deal with LGBTQ+ themes, or that have prominent LGBTQ+ protagonists or supporting characters, have been a major target in the current wave of book bans,” the organization wrote.
“This is reflected in the index, with 379 such titles (33%), including a distinct subset of 84 titles dealing with transgender characters and themes (7%).”
The organization also stated that books with a protagonist of color also made up a “significant portion of banned books.” 41% of titles had prominent leads or supporting characters of color, and 22% addressed issues of race and racism directly.
It read: “The measure to ban fiction and nonfiction books that deal with diverse characters and experiences, including racial, ethnic, and religious identities; gender identities and sexual orientations, reflects a backlash against attempts to bring a more diverse and inclusive set of voices and perspectives to the curriculum.
“This impacts students with these identities who may feel left out; but also the opportunity for all students to learn about the difference.”
PEN America said in its study that the “draconian” tactic of banning books from schools represents an “unacceptable attack on First Amendment freedoms fundamental to democracy.”
"Learners of all ages benefit tremendously from having access to diverse stories and histories in literature, which allows them to see themselves represented in the materials they read and to gain understanding of and empathy for those who may be different from them. Public school districts that ban books risk creating an environment in which students feel excluded, and failing in their responsibility to educate young people to be informed citizens of a pluralistic and diverse society."
Maia Kobabe, author of Gender Queer, told the Washington Post: “Removing or restricting queer books in libraries and schools is like cutting off a lifeline for young queer people, who may not even know what terms to ask Google for more information about their own identities, bodies, and health.”
George M Johnson’s book has been banned from libraries in more than ten US states, including Texas and Virginia. They told Rosa News in November 2021: “Children and young people also have rights, and the library is for the public. No individual should restrict what another can have access to.
“Also, young people need to feel seen in books, and my book provides that for many black queer youth and queer non-black youth.
“This book helps those who may not have a shared experience to learn about those who also exist with them in this world.”
In a statement in February, US President Joe Biden said: “I want all members of the LGBTQI+ community, especially children who will be affected by this hateful bill, to know that they are loved and accepted. as they are.
“I have your back and my administration will continue to fight for the protections and security you deserve.”
Read related myGwork articles here:
South Carolina Governor Calls For LGBTQ+ Book To Be Banned In Schools
Librarians In Wyoming Face Criminal “Obscenity” Charges For Stocking LGBTQ+ Books In Teen Sections
Hungary Restricts Sales Of LGBTQ+-Themed Children's Books
Proud Gay Dads Publish Adorable Kids’ Picture Book About A Girl With Two Fathers
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