Storytelling is vital to learning, understanding, and acceptance. The current story of book bans in the U.S. is interwoven with the story of the skyrocketing number of executive orders and legislative proposals targeting LGBTQ people, and especially transgender and nonbinary youth.
Like bills targeting health care, drag performance, school sports, pronouns, and public spaces, book bans purport to be about protecting children and parents’ rights, when their true intent is aimed at limiting the rising visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ youth, and denying LGBTQ parents and parents of LGBTQ children the same rights to belong and be represented alongside every other family.
The consequences of book bans extend to everyone in our country. Every American needs stories about LGBTQ people, Black people, queer and transgender people of color, and all marginalized groups to better understand our shared history and to fight for a future where we can all belong and be safe.
While book bans attempt to curb fundamental freedoms, they are far from the final chapter. Communities who care about each vulnerable reader and a future where all can be free should get the last word.
You can check out GLAAD's updated Book Ban toolkit here: https://lnkd.in/eUbgHHri