This week marks Banned Books Week, the American Library Association’s (ALA’s) annual celebration of the freedom to read—but this year feels more like a call to action than a celebration. Book bans and other attempts at censorship, largely targeting the LGBTQ and other marginalized communities, are raging across the country. Here’s what’s happening, how others are fighting back, and how you can help.
It’s Banned Books Week, during a year that has seen record numbers of bans and challenges. Let’s kick things off by looking at some of the picture books that have been targeted recently for being LGBTQ inclusive.
It is not coincidental that shortly after September 11, 2001, my spouse and I began to talk seriously about having a child. Reposting my 9/11 story today, as I often do on this date.
As school-related anti-LGBTQ legislation and policies continue to rise, what should LGBTQ parents know about recent moves and how to protect their families? Two experts from Family Equality shared their thoughts with me.
A Florida school district has put labels on over 100 books warning that some people feel they are “unsuitable for students.” They include a book that depicts same-sex parents caring for their babies, picture books about transgender and gender creative children, and the real-life story of a same-sex penguin pair. What’s next? Warning labels on LGBTQ students and those with LGBTQ parents?
After a win in last week’s primary, Vermont State Senator Becca Balint is widely expected to win her race for the U.S. House in November, which would make her Vermont’s first woman and first out LGBTQ person in Congress. She’s also a mom, and her family is a clear inspiration for her work.
The Massachusetts Parentage Act (MPA), which would update state parentage laws to better protect all children, including those with LGBTQ parents, did not make it through the legislative process before the session ended July 31. Advocates say they will continue fighting for it in the next session.
It’s a tough time to be an LGBTQ parent in the United States. Between legislation that threatens our ability to form and protect our families, attacks on books and media that reflect them, and concerns that impact all parents, like school shootings and pandemics, we may feel stressed and overwhelmed. Without denying those ills or our need to address them (which I have covered before and will again), I want to focus here on a few positive things to keep in mind.
The U.S. Senate could vote this week on the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation that would codify important rights and protections in the face of threats to marriage equality. NOW is the time to contact your senators and urge them to pass this bill. Here’s why and what to do.
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade, ongoing attacks on transgender children and youth, and more than 300 anti-LGBTQ state bills introduced in 2022, Family Equality has launched a new online tool to help families wondering what to do.
