Book Challenges Surge in 2023, with LGBTQ Themes at Forefront

The American Library Association reports a record number of book challenges, spotlighting the ongoing battle over LGBTQ content in schools and libraries.

The American Library Association reports a 65% increase in book challenges in 2023, with 4,240 titles targeted.
Maia Kobabe's 'Gender Queer' tops the list of most challenged books for the third consecutive year, primarily due to LGBTQ themes.
Seven of the top ten most challenged books of 2023 deal with LGBTQ themes, highlighting a focus on restricting LGBTQ visibility.
Conservative groups and politicians are driving efforts to ban books, with notable actions in states like Florida and Texas.
The ALA emphasizes the importance of fighting censorship to protect the freedom to read and the diversity of library collections.