Research shows an increase in LGBTQ+ book ban attempts in UK schools
August 23, 2024Librarians in UK schools have spoken out regarding heightened censorship of LGBTQ+ books. In recent years, conservative groups have increasingly targeted queer literature in the UK. A report from April 2023 by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (Cilip) disclosed that one-third of librarians encountered requests from the public to censor or remove LGBTQ+ content, with some even facing threats.
Nick Poole, Cilip’s chief executive, told The Guardian, “We want to get past this period of culture war and politics and really focus on the job in hand.”
He further stated, “It continues to be true that it just takes a spark in a children’s book to inspire a young person to go on and do something brilliant. That’s what we want to focus on doing.”
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Unfortunately, it has been reported that the UK school library system’s situation has deteriorated, according to ‘Gay Times’.
The Independent noted that new findings from the Index on Censorship indicated that 53% of school librarians surveyed faced demands to remove LGBTQ+ books, and 56% were compelled to comply.
The study highlighted specific books that have been targeted, such as ‘Julián is a Mermaid’ by Jessica Love, ‘ABC Pride’ by Louie Stowell, Elly Barnes, and Amy Phelps, and ‘This Book Is Gay’ by Juno Dawson.
Following the release of this revealing data, numerous LGBTQ+ activists and organisations have criticised the troubling surge in censorship.
In her statement to The Independent, Just Like Us CEO Laura Mackay stated, “This small-scale study shows some worrying cases of fears around LGBT+ books in school libraries, but removing books will never change the fact that LGBT+ people, including same-sex parents, are part of society.”
She also noted, “The recent rise in far-right attitudes and fears stoked around trans young people make life so much harder for LGBT+ young people, particularly those of color… it’s vital that young people can access books that reflect the diversity of the world around them.”
Echoing these views, local librarian Alice Leggatt told the same outlet that librarians face ongoing requests without much protection.
She explained, “Pretty much every librarian I’ve spoken with says this is more of an issue than it was five years ago, and they’re concerned about in a way they never had to think about it before.”
“But we don’t really have anything with teeth to help defend school librarians, their collections, and their students when these things happen.”
An increase in book censorship and bans is not unique to the UK.
In the United States, several states have attempted to restrict access to books with queer and racial themes in public and school libraries.
A report from The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom indicated that over 4,000 books have been targeted, alongside “1,247 demands to censor library books, materials and resources in 2023.”
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