All articles tagged with #lgbtq books
A former Wyoming library director fired over disputes about LGBTQ+ and sexual content in books has settled a $700,000 lawsuit, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated by county officials who sided with book objectors. The case highlights ongoing tensions over book censorship and free speech in public libraries.
PEN America reports a significant rise in book bans in U.S. schools during 2024-2025, with nearly 7,000 bans despite a slight decrease from the previous year, highlighting ongoing censorship and challenges to books on topics like LGBTQ+ and controversial themes, especially in states like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee.
The US Supreme Court has supported parents in Maryland seeking to opt their children out of LGBTQ-themed books in schools, citing religious rights and the potential for irreparable harm, while dissenting justices expressed concern about the impact on public school diversity and inclusion.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that parents can opt their children out of LGBTQ-themed books in schools, citing religious freedom concerns, a decision that critics say could create chaos in public education by requiring advance notice and opt-outs for various lessons. The ruling stems from a case involving Montgomery County, Maryland, where parents challenged the school's inclusion of such books in the curriculum.
The US Supreme Court ruled that schools must allow students to opt out of reading LGBTQ+ themed books on religious grounds, a decision that highlights ongoing tensions between religious rights and inclusive education in the US.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of parents in Maryland who objected to LGBTQ-themed books in elementary schools, asserting that the school's refusal to allow opt-outs violated their First Amendment rights to religious freedom, amidst ongoing debates over LGBTQ content in education.
The Samuels Public Library in Warren County, Virginia, is facing potential closure due to a funding dispute over children's books featuring LGBTQ characters. The county's Board of Supervisors voted to withhold 75% of its appropriation to the library unless the library board revises its bylaws to give the county more control. The library, which relies on county funding, is set to run out of operating funds by the end of the month. A community group called "Clean Up Samuels" has led the charge for change, filing hundreds of complaints about specific books. Another group, "Save Samuels," defends the library and opposes censorship of LGBTQ books. Discussions are ongoing to resolve the dispute.
A tense meeting at an Ozark library in Alabama, where residents debated moving LGBTQ+ books to the adult section, spilled into the parking lot when an undercover cop confronted a bisexual speaker. The speaker, Julia Carroll, had just delivered an emotional plea when the cop approached her aggressively. Carroll's boyfriend, Eric Braswell, intervened, and the situation escalated. The cop refused to leave, leading to a heated exchange. Eventually, a police commander de-escalated the situation, and all parties left the parking lot.