In Brief

Abstract

Alaska

Seward Community Library and Museum

On September 15, 2022, a parent formally challenged Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder, from the children’s section of Seward Community Library and Museum. The parent claimed that the body-positive picture book—which affirms two–spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) identities—“promotes the trans agenda and homosexuality.”

The title was retained.

Reported in: Office for Intellectual Freedom challenge report.

Arizona

Prescott Valley Public Library

At a town council meeting on August 11, 2022, one Prescott Valley community member expressed concern for the safety of young readers. Specifically, they were worried about readers’ exposure to library materials reflecting two–spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) identities. Selecting several popular titles from Prescott Valley Public Library’s Pride Month display, the complainant read out-of-context excerpts of “sexually graphic” material before the council.

Challenged titles included:

• Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison
• Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
• This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson

The outcome of this complaint is unknown. . . .