Over the years, many books have been banned for containing LGBTQ content. Although the year is 2021, and gay marriage is now legal in the United States, many citizens still want LBGTQ novels to be banned. Below are five LGBTQ stories that have been banned in the past decade.
I Am Jazz by Jessica Hershel and Jazz Jennings
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I Am Jazz by Jessica Hershel and Jazz Jennings, is an autobiographical picture book for children that tells the true story of a young woman named Jazz Jennings who came out as transgender and is now a spokesperson and advocate for the LBGTQ community. The book was first banned in 2015 after parents complained about children being exposed to the knowledge of transgender children. But there are many children who identify as transgender all around around the world, and books like I Am Jazz should be read in schools to teach children to be accepting of one another. They should learn how to form their own opinions, and not just go by what their parents tell them.
Two Boys Kissing BY David Levithan
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David Levithan’s novel, Two Boy’s Kissing, was banned three times; in 2015, 2016, and 2018. Many people found the cover, which showed two boys kissing, too “sexually explicit,” and felt that the book was condoning public displays of affection in homosexual relationships, which they did not approve of. But straight people display their affection in public all the time, and no one complains about that. This book is about two gay teens and could be used as a great learning tool for some high schoolers and a way for members of the LGBTQ community to feel connected to others. This book should never have been banned.
GEORGE BY ALEX GINO
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George by Alex Gino was first banned in 2016 due to its inclusion of a transgender child. The novel was directed towards elementary school children, and many parents thought that the book was sexually inappropriate for kids of that age. People also thought that it was encouraging children to become transgender. But Alex Gino thinks that the book is important for young children to read because some of them may be transgender, and they want them all to feel accepted and loved.
AND TANGO MAKES THREE BY PETER PARNELL
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And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell is another children’s story that was banned due to homosexual overtones. It tells the story of two male penguins who create a family together. Heterosexual parents may be upset about this novel being read to their children at school, but what they may not realize is that there are many young kids who live with two moms or two dads. No one should be judged for who they love, and their children shouldn’t be judged either. And Tango Makes Three is a fantastic novel for children to read because it teaches them that love is love, and it helps children with same-sex parents feel normal and accepted.
Drama by Raina Telgemeier
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Drama by Raina Telgemeier is a graphic novel that was the seventh most banned book between 2010 and 2019 because of its inclusion of LGBTQ characters in the novel. People worried that this book would attract children because of all the pictures in it.
The bottom line
Books are a great way to cure anxiety and depression because readers can relate to well-developed characters whose struggles are similar to their own. Straight couples may get over their breakups faster after reading about a character who’d also just been dumped. It makes them feel like they are not alone. Members of the LGBTQ community should be able to feel the same. It’s important to include LGBTQ content in novels for people of all ages so that those who are marginalized can find comfort in them, and those who aren’t can learn how to empathize with those who are. Empathy is what makes someone want to change for the better.