Thread by @Openly

📖 Classrooms have become the latest battleground for #LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S.

🇺🇸 Since the beginning of 2022, nearly a dozen bills have been proposed banning queer books and classroom materials.

🧵 Here's what you need to know. 👇
openlynews.com/i/?id=9b222e47…

🏳️‍🌈 Educating children about LGBTQ-related issues has often caused controversy across the U.S.

📖 In 2019, 8 of the top 10 most challenged or banned library, school or university books contained queer content, according to @OIF.

🧒 Lawmakers say parents should have a bigger say in their children's education – potentially overriding administrators.

📚 They also say that religious freedom means families and students should be able to challenge some material.

👥But LGBTQ+ rights groups say the proposed bills are discriminatory.

🚫There has been a barrage of "hostile rhetoric and behavior targeting vulnerable young people and books about their lives” - @glaad CEO @sarahkateellis.

Here's a snapshot of what's happening in the U.S.👇

👉 Oklahoma

💵 A bill introduced could fine teachers at least $10,000 for educating children on anything that contradicts religion, which could include LGBTQ+ topics.

📒 Another suggests fining schools and librarians that continue to stock books challenged by parents.

👉 South Carolina, Texas and Utah

🔎 Elected officials have sent letters to school districts asking them to investigate certain titles in libraries.

📚 One list in Texas includes more than 800 books.

👉 Tennessee

🏫 Lawmakers are considering a bill to ban the teaching of #LGBTQ+ topics in the state’s public schools.

🛑 It aims to ban textbooks and other educational materials that “promote, normalise, support or address LGBT issues or lifestyle”.

🏳️‍🌈 Some of the books with LGBTQ+ themes include:

📖 "She/He/They/Them: Understanding Gender Identity" by Rebecca Stanboroug.

📖 "Honestly Ben" by @billkonigsberg.

📖 "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe.

📖 "All Boys Aren't Blue" by @IamGMJohnson.

👊 But some groups are fighting back.

♣️ In Kutztown, Pennsylvania, local students started a "banned book club" that meets every other week.

👨‍🏫 English teacher Heathcliff Lopez said he specifically added titles included on a list of books to be banned in Texas schools.

At least 5⃣ U.S. states have proposed legislation to prohibit the discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools.

🗣 On Tuesday, @WhiteHouse condemned Republicans for advancing the controversial "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida.

📖 Teachers and school administrators are concerned these new legal restrictions could intensify pressure as COVID-19 continues to strain the education system.

Read @femme_thoughts's story 👇
openlynews.com/i/?id=9b222e47…

📚 Has a book ever been banned at your school?