All articles tagged with #lgbtq literature
The Polari Prize was canceled for 2023 after controversy over John Boyne's support for JK Rowling's views on trans issues, leading to protests from authors and industry figures, and prompting a review of the prize's governance and inclusion policies.
Maia Kobabe's graphic memoir "Gender Queer" has topped the American Library Association's list of most challenged books for the third consecutive year, sparking debates over library content and parental control. The ALA's top 10 snapshot includes several books with LGBTQ themes, as well as sexually explicit content, with bans and attempted bans reaching record highs in 2023. Many of the challenged books touch upon LGBTQ and racial themes, reflecting ongoing controversies surrounding book censorship and content appropriateness in libraries and schools.
Republican Senator John Kennedy went viral after reading explicit passages from banned books during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on book bans and censorship. Kennedy recited graphic sex scenes from the books "All Boys Aren't Blue" and "Gender Queer," questioning whether librarians or parents should have the authority to decide what books are available to children. Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and another witness attempted to explain their position, but Kennedy criticized their lack of a clear solution.
In celebration of Pride Month, this article recommends four queer books across different genres, including the novel "Walking Practice" by Dolki Min, the comic anthology "Sordid Past" edited by Andrea Purcell, the poetry collection "Glory Hole" by Kim Hyun, and the essay collection "It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror" edited by Joe Vallese. These works explore themes of queerness, disability, and horror in unique and compelling ways.
The American Library Association reported over 1,200 challenges to library books and resources last year, with nearly half resulting in outright bans or restrictions. The most challenged books include "Gender Queer: A Memoir," "All Boys Aren't Blue," and "The Bluest Eye." Challenges primarily target books that elevate marginalized voices, particularly those of LGBTQ+ and people of color. The ALA recommends that parents guide their child's reading and get involved at the local level to preserve the freedom to read.