June Meissner, an information services librarian at the downtown Boise Public Library, experienced a harrowing encounter as she was closing up for the day. A man approached her under the guise of needing assistance, but instead, he attempted to punch her, hurling slurs and threats as he did. “He took a swing at me and tried to punch me in the head,” Meissner, a transgender woman, recounted. “I blocked it and he started yelling slurs and suggesting that he was going to come back and kill me.”
This incident highlights a disturbing trend facing the LGBTQ+ community during a time meant for celebration and recognition of their culture and rights. Despite the joyous events of Pride Month, many LGBTQ+ individuals report increasing difficulties at work, ranging from repeated misgendering to physical assaults.
Meissner’s experience is part of a broader struggle that gender nonconforming library workers face, especially amid a surge in calls for book bans across the United States. Books addressing gender identity, sexual orientation, and race are particularly targeted, making these attacks deeply personal. “When we see attacks on those books, we have to understand that those are attacks on those kinds of people as well,” said Emily Drabinski, the president of the American Library Association and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. She expressed that the weaponization of her identity against libraries and their staff has made this year especially challenging.
The American Library Association documented a record 4,240 titles targeted for censorship in 2023, a 65% increase from the previous year. Maia Kobabe’s “Gender Queer” has been the most criticized title for three consecutive years. The increasing political speech around book bans exacerbates the dangers faced by librarians like Meissner. Idaho’s recent legislation allows local prosecutors to charge public and school libraries if they fail to keep “harmful” materials away from children, a move signed into law by Governor Brad Little.
Meissner’s attacker was eventually arrested and convicted, but the incident has left her vigilant and cautious in her daily interactions. “As somebody who is working face to face with the public and trying to help people as much as possible, that really does get in the way,” she noted. Meissner’s experience reflects a growing climate of hostility fueled by political rhetoric and legislative actions.
Organizations like Moms for Liberty, a conservative nonprofit advocating for parental rights, have been at the forefront of the movement to remove books dealing with race and gender identity. Co-founder Tiffany Justice asserts that their actions are not anti-LGBTQ+, but rather a response to what they consider sexually explicit material. However, about 38% of book challenges stemming from their activities involve LGBTQ+ themes, according to the ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.
Despite significant efforts to censor such materials, legal standards for deeming books obscene or harmful are stringent, and courts have historically protected libraries under the First Amendment. Vera Eidelman, a staff attorney for the ACLU, emphasized that mere descriptions or depictions of sex and nudity do not meet the criteria for obscenity.
In many cases, the book banning movement has successfully limited access to materials crucial for LGBTQ+ youth. Louisiana’s new law, effective June 1, requires parents or guardians to approve the books their children check out, which could further endanger queer and trans kids who already face higher risks of violence, substance use, and suicide. M’issa Fleming, a public librarian in New Orleans, expressed concern that losing access to LGBTQ+ themed books might drive kids to unreliable sources like Reddit.
Chaz Carey, a children’s librarian in Worthington, Ohio, highlighted the life-changing impact of such books. Alison Bechdel’s “Fun Home” helped Carey come to terms with their sexual orientation as a teenager. “I felt seen. It was like my whole body just let out a breath,” Carey shared. They emphasized the importance of keeping these books available, noting that they can save lives.
However, the rise in book challenges and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric has taken a toll on Carey and others in the profession. Misgendering and political hostility are daily challenges. Carey, who chairs the ALA’s Rainbow Roundtable, finds solace in embracing queer joy and pride despite the political climate.
The struggles faced by Meissner, Fleming, Carey, and others underscore the intersection of political actions, personal identities, and professional duties. As Pride Month continues, the resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals in the face of adversity remains a powerful testament to their strength and determination.