Book banning is on the rise. Intellectual Freedom reports 729 book challenges targeting 1,597 titles. The majority of targeted titled were by Black and/or LGBTQIA+ authors. This comes alongside a movement to restrict which resources and words are allowed in classrooms, libraries and public life.
Zack Beauchamp at Vox.com writes, "The complaints run along some familiar themes: Writing by leftist radicals will steer youth toward political extremism; literature from LGBTQ authors encourages them to adopt “alternative lifestyles”; books that discuss sex and sexuality push them toward risky behaviors."
Discussion of "Critical Race Theory" being taught in classrooms has ostensibly fueled bannings targeting books that try to address racism, homophobia and transphobia.
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Reasons: Banned, challenged, and restricted for LGBTQIA+ content, and because it was considered to have sexually explicit images
Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and because it was considered to be sexually explicit
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
Reasons: Banned and challenged for LGBTQIA+ content, profanity, and because it was considered to be sexually explicit