Nearly half of the books targeted for censorship in the U.S. in 2023 were LGBTQ-themed, according to the American Library Association (ALA). It won’t surprise you to know that seven of the top ten are LGBTQ-themed. https://twitter.com/ALALibrary/status/1777340394230997290 From the ALA:
ALA documented 4,240 unique book titles targeted for censorship in 2023—a 65% surge over 2022 numbers—as well as 1,247 demands to censor library books, materials, and resources.
Pressure groups focused on public libraries in addition to targeting school libraries.
The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023.
The ALA notes that its lists are based on reports filed by library professionals and community leaders, as well as news stories published throughout the year. That said, many book challenges go unreported. So, this ‘Most Challenged’ list represents just a snapshot of books targeted for censorship. Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” was #1 on the list for the third year in a row. The graphic memoir, which chronicles the Kobabe’s journey with sexuality and gender from childhood to adulthood, was challenged for its LGBTQ content and for claims that it is sexually explicit. https://twitter.com/ABC/status/1777303319733534755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1777303319733534755%7Ctwgr%5E1f2a0d7cda0fce8160ce608d57b53fad83a9c9db%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.joemygod.com%2F2024%2F04%2Flgbtq-books-top-list-of-2023s-most-challenged-titles%2F
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