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The Library Was My Safe Haven as an LGBTQ Teen. Now It’s Under Attack.
When you ban books, you put students in danger. End of story.
In the summer of 2018, a friend of mine attempted to put up an LGBTQ-focused display in the local public library to honor Pride Month.
She succeeded. For a day or so, that is. Then, the project fell victim to an influx of complaints from local parents worried about the “bad influence” the display might be on impressionable young minds.
I remember the icy feeling in my stomach as my friend told me the outcome of what would have been a noteworthy event in my conservative hometown. I had just returned from my freshman year at a liberal arts college I chose partly because of its acceptance of LGBTQ students. I was happy to find other people like me, but the out-and-proud, unashamed attitude of my school peers highlighted the cold reluctance of my community to accept even a few books being showcased. That juxtaposition gave power to the little voice in my head that said while queer happiness might be possible to someone, somewhere, it certainly would not ever be fully accessible to me.
