In recent years, the rise of book censorship in the United States has left many questioning its impact, particularly on LGBTQ representation. The censorship disproportionately targets LGBTQ authors and books featuring queer themes, reflecting a troubling trend reminiscent of conservative movements in the past. For David Shelley, CEO of Hachette, this resurgence brings back memories of his own experiences growing up in the shadow of Margaret Thatcher’s Section 28 law in Britain. He recalled the isolation of not seeing himself represented in the books available, a feeling that he fears today’s youth may once again face.
LGBTQ books, like George M. Johnson’s “All Boys Aren’t Blue,” are often at the center of these bans. The concern is not just the outright removal of books from libraries and schools but what is being termed “soft censorship.” Books are quietly excluded before official bans are enacted, driven by fear of controversy or backlash. This subtle form of suppression is insidious and dangerous. It prevents young people from encountering narratives that may reflect their identities, leaving them without the vital representation they need.
The trend of banning LGBTQ-themed books extends beyond individual states like Florida and Iowa. As George M. Johnson, whose work has faced significant pushback, notes, soft censorship is particularly pervasive in schools and libraries. Books are simply not ordered, effectively eliminating them from the shelves without the need for public debate. This deprives young readers of seeing themselves reflected in the literature they consume, a critical factor in developing a sense of identity and belonging.
The danger of such bans lies not only in restricting access to information but in the broader message they send. By removing LGBTQ narratives, these bans imply that queer identities are somehow inappropriate or dangerous. Authors like Shelley and Johnson are pushing back, fighting to ensure that future generations do not grow up in a world where their stories are erased from public spaces. The fight against censorship is a fight for representation, and it is a fight that the LGBTQ community cannot afford to lose.
