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What LGBTQ+ books are you reading during Pride?
June is Pride Month, and we want to know what LGBTQ+ books and authors you’re reading.
June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and honor the journeys of LGBTQ+ individuals and the strides made in the larger movement for love, acceptance, and equality for all.
One way to celebrate Pride is by reading LGBTQ+ authors and books. And luckily, there are plenty of options to choose from.
Ranging from classic LGBTQ+ novels such as James Baldwin’s “Giovanni’s Room,” to coming-of-age memoirs such as Elliot Page’s “Pageboy,” and acclaimed graphic novels such as “Heartstopper,” there are so many queer voices and stories to choose from.
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Choosing a book that explores queer experiences and history can be a great way to learn about, honor, and support the community as an ally. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, it can also be empowering to find yourself and experiences represented on the page.
However, access to queer literature, especially in schools, has become more and more fraught with book challenges and bans on the rise.
In Massachusetts, there were 37 attempts to ban or restrict books in 2023, with 63 titles affected, according to a report by the American Library Association. Titles representing the voices and lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals made up 47% of those targeted in censorship attempts.
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Public and school libraries were particularly targeted by the challenges, the report said. The number of titles targeted for censorship at public libraries increased by 92% over the previous year, accounting for about 46% of all book challenges in 2023; school libraries saw an 11% increase over 2022 numbers.
We want to know: What LGBTQ+ books and authors are you reading?
What genres or authors are your favorites? Are you turning to classics, or newer releases? Do you have recommendations for newbies to queer literature?
Tell us by filling out the form or e-mailing us at [email protected], and your response may appear in a future Boston.com article.
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