LGBTQ titles are most censored library books of the year

Eight of the 10 most complained about and censored books in US libraries and schools were targeted because of their LGBTQ+ content, says the American Library Association (ALA).

On Monday, the organisation – which defends “the freedom to read” – released its annual top 10 list of “Most Challenged Books” in the country, along with the reasons cited for censoring the books.

The ALA found that there was a 17% increase in the number of books targeted for removal or restriction in 2019. It tracked 377 challenges to library, school, and university materials and services in the previous year. Overall, 566 books were targeted.

“Hundreds of attempts from the public to remove or restrict materials, cancel programs, and dismantle displays and exhibits took place in public, school and academic libraries. The majority of library materials and services targeted for removal included or addressed LGBTQIA+ content,” said the organisation.

The most complained about title was Alex Gino’s George, a novel about a young transgender girl. Complaints about the book included that libraries should not “put books in a child’s hand that require discussion”; for sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and “traditional family structure”.

Number two on the list is Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, by Susan Kuklin, for “its effect on any young people who would read it,” and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased.

The top ten included a longtime favourite target of LGBTQ bigots around the world: And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson and illustrated by Henry Cole. This acclaimed children’s book is based on a true story of two male penguins who hatch an egg and raise a chick.

Only two of the titles in the top 10 were not attacked because of LGBTQ content. These were The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood (because of profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones”) and J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series (for referring to magic and witchcraft, containing curses and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals).

Here are the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in 2019 in the US

1. George, by Alex Gino
Reasons: to avoid controversy; for LGBTQIA+ content and a transgender character; because schools and libraries should not “put books in a child’s hand that require discussion”; for sexual references; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint and “traditional family structure”

2. Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out, by Susan Kuklin
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, for “its effect on any young people who would read it,” and for concerns that it was sexually explicit and biased

3. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Presents A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, by Jill Twiss, illustrated by EG Keller
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content and political viewpoints, for concerns that it is “designed to pollute the morals of its readers,” and for not including a content warning.

4. Sex is a Funny Word, by Cory Silverberg, illustrated by Fiona Smyth
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content; for discussing gender identity and sex education; and for concerns that the title and illustrations were “inappropriate”.

5. Prince & Knight, by Daniel Haack, illustrated by Stevie Lewis
Reasons: featuring a gay marriage and LGBTQIA+ content; for being “a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children” with the potential to cause confusion, curiosity, and gender dysphoria; and for conflicting with a religious viewpoint.

6. I Am Jazz, by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings, illustrated by Shelagh McNicholas
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content, for a transgender character, and for confronting a topic that is “sensitive, controversial, and politically charged”.

7. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood
Reasons: profanity and for “vulgarity and sexual overtones”.

8. Drama, written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier
Reasons: LGBTQIA+ content and for concerns that it goes against “family values/morals”.

9. Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling
Reasons: referring to magic and witchcraft, for containing actual curses and spells, and for characters that use “nefarious means” to attain goals.

10. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson, illustrated by Henry Cole
Reason: LGBTQIA+ content