When we see attacks on those books, we have to understand that those are attacks on those kinds of people as well. To have my identity weaponized against libraries and library workers, the people and institutions I care about the most, has made it a difficult and painful year.
The American Library Association (ALA) said it documented the highest-ever number of titles targeted for censorship in 2023 – 4,240. That total surpassed 2022’s previous record by 65%, with Maia Kobabe’s coming-of-age story “Gender Queer” topping the list for most criticized library book for the third straight year.
Lawmakers are increasingly considering lawsuits, fines, and even imprisonment for distributing books some regard as inappropriate. In Idaho, lawmakers passed legislation that empowers local prosecutors to bring charges against public and school libraries if they don’t keep “harmful” materials away from children. The new law will go into effect on July 1.
As someone who is working face-to-face with the public and trying to help people as much as possible, it really does get in the way. I do think that a lot of that political speech around it does make things more dangerous and worse for me.
Florida-based conservative nonprofit Moms for Liberty has been at the forefront of a nationwide push to remove books that deal with race and gender identity. Co-founder Tiffany Justice says the organization is not anti-LGBTQ+, although she thinks that the Q in the acronym, which stands for queer or questioning, “needs to go into the trash bin.” And according to ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, about 38% of book challenges that “directly originated” from Moms for Liberty activity have LGBTQ+ themes.
For me what helps is taking some time to feel sad but then choosing queer joy and pride. Being a children’s librarian is a dream job, but the rise in book challenges and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric takes a mental toll. I am frequently misgendered at work, including by some patrons who go out of their way to do so while airing their political beliefs.
It is just so important that these books remain on shelves. They save lives.