Madison County Public Library administrators were asked to go over a list of potentially “sexually explicit” books to be moved from the children’s and young adult section to the adult section. The majority of these books were about the LGBTQ community. At least one was added to the list because the author’s last name is Gay.
I’m saying the process of removing books from the children’s section is an appropriate policy, even if it was misapplied in this case. It’s not banning books, like many people in here seem to believe.
Hiding children’s books from children at the behest of bigots kinda defeats the purpose of having children’s books. It’s effectively a ban, which is why you’re defending it.
I’m ok with removing sexually explicit books from children’s sections yes. Especially ones that show gratuitous sexual activity, such as the book Gender Queer https://data.ibtimes.sg/en/full/52824/gender-queer.jpg?w=813
Or “This Book is Gay” which gives a step by step on how to use gay hookup apps. These are the books that people are demanding remain in front of children.
So you support book bans and want to call them something else.
It’s not banning them, just removing them from the Children’s section. Children’s media has always be moderated
“It’s not banning! It’s just hiding them from their intended audience because bigots don’t like them!”
Quit splitting hairs just because you support bans but don’t want to call them bans.
Gender Queer was never intended for children. It is aimed at adults and young adults.
The NEA recommended it on a list of books for educators and some people misinterpreted this (perhaps purposely, since it acts as really nice fuel for the fear fire) as being recommended for children.
It is not, nor was it ever, a children’s book. And should not be in a children’s section. At the youngest, it could be in the YA section (depending on a local library’s discretion).