https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/04/almost-all-of-2023s-most-challenged-books-were-lgbtq/
The American Library Association (ALA) has released its top 10 most challenged books of 2023, and seven of them were challenged for containing LGBTQ+ content.
“In looking at the title of the most challenged books from last year, it’s obvious that the pressure groups are targeting books about LGBTQ+ people and people of color,” said ALA President Emily Drabinski in a press release.
The vocal protests of the ALA emphasize the ways in which libraries and their workers have striven to address the needs of their readers with progressive and crucial services.
“At ALA, we are fighting for the freedom to choose what you want to read. Shining a light on the harmful workings of these pressure groups is one of the actions we must take to protect our right to read,” Drabinski said.
The number of titles at risk for censorship increased by 65% in 2023 compared to the year before, the highest ever recorded by ALA.
The 10 most challenged books of 2023 are as follows:
- Genderqueer by Maia Kobabe
- Reasons: LGBTQ+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
- Reasons: LGBTQ+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
- This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson
- Reasons: LGBTQ+ content, sex education, claimed to be sexually explicit
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
- Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, LGBTQ+ content, rape, drugs, profanity
- Flamer by Mike Curato
- Reasons: LGBTQ+ content, claimed to be sexually explicit
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Reasons: Rape, incest, claimed to be sexually explicit, EDI content
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
- Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, drugs, rape, LGBTQ+ content
- Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
- Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, profanity
- Let’s Talk About It by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan
- Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicit, sex education, LGBTQ+ content
- Sold by Patricia McCormick
- Reasons: Claimed to be sexually explicitly, rape
“These are books that contain the ideas, the opinions, and the voices that censors want to silence — stories by and about LGBTQ+ persons and people of color,” said Deborah Caldwell, director of ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
“Each challenge, each demand to censor these books is an attack on our freedom to read, our right to live the life we choose, and an attack on libraries as community institutions that reflect the rich diversity of our nation. When we tolerate censorship, we risk losing all of this. During National Library Week, we should all take action to protect and preserve libraries and our rights.”
According to the ALA, most of the challenges prior to 2021 sought to remove access to a single title, whereas more recent challenges – fueled by the so-called parents’ rights movement and anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups like Moms for Liberty – target multiple titles 90% of the time.
“Overwhelmingly, we’re seeing these challenges come from organized censorship groups that target local library board meetings to demand removal of a long list of books they share on social media,” said Caldwell-Stone.
“Their aim is to suppress the voices of those traditionally excluded from our nation’s conversations, such as people in the LGBTQIA+ community or people of color. Each attempt to ban a book by one of these groups represents a direct attack on every person’s constitutionally protected right to freely choose what books to read and what ideas to explore. The choice of what to read must be left to the reader or, in the case of children, to parents. That choice does not belong to self-appointed book police.”
Scottie's Playtime 
I have proposed to the local library board that no books should be removed until the book that has caused the most hurt and damage over hundreds of years is removed from the shelfs. It has gone through many translations and name changes but still is identified as the source of what is most wrong with the areas of the world that it influences. It has all those things in it that they complain about but still insist even when they haven’t read it, that it is the greatest guide in how we must live.When they are willing to remove the Bible from the shelves then maybe we can talk about any other books. i myself will still argue that no book shoud be with held from anybody wishing to read it.
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Hello Muttpupdad. I agree, great idea. These book banning types think that if kids don’t see it, hear about it, they won’t ever feel that way, think about it, or think it is normal. If all the kids hear is the bigoted trash talk, then they believe it. Plus these bigot haters think they can more easily convince their kids that all LGBTQ+ are pedophiles and diseased perverts.
I listen to a YouTuber who grew up a fundamentalist Christian and went to church schools. As an older teen he started to work, and he learned that the world was not as he had been taught. He at first was anti-gay and quite bigoted. Then he got to know LGBTQ+ people and found out they were decent normal people. He realized his beliefs were all screwed up because he was introduced to new ideas different from what his church pushed. His new girlfriend is a trans woman.
As for the bible several places were made to remove it and then exempt it from the rule / laws so that it could be back in libraries and school. Then states redid the book banning laws to exclude their holy book, but only theirs. It is like DeathSantis signing the Florida law permitting religious leaders / figures as school councilors and claimed the law said only Christian ones were allowed. It doesn’t work that way so let the lawsuits begin. Hugs. Scottie
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