These five LGBTQ+ books were among the most challenged and banned books last year, according to the American Library Association…
Books are being challenged at a record pace in a culture war that has also led to state bills south of the border seeking to limit LGBTQ classroom instruction. While Florida’s recently passed a “Don’t Say Gay” law has generated countless headlines, there are at least 15 other states that are considering similar laws.
Bans on LGBTQ books have escalated dramatically in recent years. In fact, according to the American Library Association five of the 10 most challenged and banned books in the United States in 2021 were flagged because of their LGBTQ content.
Here are the five LGBTQ books on the American Library Association’s recently released top 10 most challenged books of 2021.
All Boys Aren’t Blue
By George M. Johnson
Publication date: 2020
All Boys Aren’t Blue is a New York Times bestseller chronicles the author’s experience growing up as a Black queer boy. The 2020 young adult memoir has been banned and challenged across North America because of its LGBTQ content and its profanity and “because it was considered to be sexually explicit,” according to the American Library Association.
Johnson, who is nonbinary, said in December 2021 that it’s difficult to cope with the backlash even as the book soars in popularity. “It sucks. It is overwhelming. It’s heavy,” Johnson said. “But at the same time, I’m witnessing parents buy this book for their teens. I’m witnessing parents and teens reading the book together. I’m also witnessing students find their agency and find their voice because I’m using mine.”
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out
By Susan Kuklin
Publication date: 2014
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out explores the experiences of six different trans and nonbinary teenagers before, during and after their transitions. Using portraits, Susan Kuklin illustrates the joys and difficulties facing transgender youth.
The book, which was published in 2014, has been banned and challenged for LGBTQ content and “because it was considered to be sexually explicit,” according to the American Library Association.
Gender Queer: A Memoir
By Maia Kobabe
Publication date: 2019
This 2019 illustrated memoir details Maia Kobabe’s story from adolescence to adulthood and the obstacles a nonbinary person faces when navigating a binary society. The American Library Association said the award-winning book has been banned, challenged and restricted because of its LGBTQ content and “because it was considered to have sexually explicit images.”
“It’s very hard to hear people say ‘this book is not appropriate to young people’ when it’s like I was a young person for whom this book would have been not only appropriate, but so, so necessary,” Kobabe said in December 2021 responding to controversy surrounding the book. “There are a lot of people who are questioning their gender, questioning their sexuality and having a real hard time finding honest accounts of somebody else on the same journey. There are people for whom this is vital and for whom this could maybe even be lifesaving.”
Lawn Boy
By Jonathan Evison
Publication date: 2018
This coming-of-age novel, narrated by a young gay man, highlights the challenges of navigating race and class. The American Library Association said it has been challenged and restricted because of claims that it includes “sexually explicit” and LGBTQ content.
This Book Is Gay
By Juno Dawson
Publication date: 2014
This Book Is Gay is a coming-out guide for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer teens. The book also explores stereotypes and ways to find support in the LGBTQ community. It has been banned, challenged, relocated and restricted for LGBTQ content and information about sexual education, the American Library Association report said.
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