Top 5 LGBTQ+ books banned in the U.S.
04/09/25
Digital collage of covers from ALA's 2024 list of banned books.
courtesy publishers
The American Library Association just released its annual “State of America’s Libraries 2024” report detailing censorship attempts across the country, and the outlook is not bright under the current slew of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, laws, and executive orders.
The ALA says it documented over 820 attempts to censor books and related LGBTQ+ services at libraries and educational facilities in 2024.
“The most common reasons for challenges were false claims of illegal obscenity for minors; inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters or themes; and dealing with topics of race, racism, inclusivity, equity, and social justice,” the ALA says in its report, adding there were “2,452 unique titles that were challenged or banned” last year.
Here are the top five most challenged LGBTQ+ books in 2024 according to the ALA.
You can read or download the entire “State of America’s Libraries 2024” report here.
5. 'Tricks' by Ellen Hopkins
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
Courtesy Margaret K. McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster publisher
Published in 2009 by Simon & Schuster.
From the publisher:
“Five troubled teenagers fall into prostitution as they search for freedom, safety, community, family, and love in this #1 New York Times bestselling novel from Ellen Hopkins...Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching…for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don’t expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words 'I love you' are said for all the wrong reasons.”
RELATED: Tricks by Emily Hopkins is one of the most challenged books in 2023
4. 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Courtesy Simon & Schuster publisher
Published in 1999 by Pocket Books, a subsidiary of Simon & Schuster.
From the publisher:
“The critically acclaimed debut novel from Stephen Chbosky follows observant “wallflower” Charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First dates, family drama, and new friends. Sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Devastating loss, young love, and life on the fringes. Caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it, Charlie must learn to navigate those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.”
The book was adapted into the 2012 film of the same name starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller
3. 'The Bluest Eye' by Tony Morrison
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Courtesy Holt, Rinehart and Winston publishers
Published in 1970 by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. Reprint edition published in 2007 by Vintage International.
Set in Lorain, Ohio in 1941 shortly after the Great Depression, The Bluest Eyes follows a year in the life of Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl who experiences abuse because of her dark skin color and mannerisms. Developing a low opinion of herself, Pecola dreams of being a white girl with the bluest eyes. The book explores sensitive topics of racism and child abuse.
The original dust jacket for The Bluest Eyes was designed by Herb Lubalin and Jay Tribech and was little more than the opening paragraphs of the book.
RELATED: The LGBTQ+ community mourns passing of The Bluest Eyes author and Nobel Prize laureate Toni Morrison
2. 'Gender Queer: A Memoir' by Maia Kobabe
Gender queer by Maia Kobabe
Courtesy Lion Forge Comics/Oni Press publisher
Published in 2019 by Lion Forge Comics, which was later acquired by Oni Press.
From the publisher:
“In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographical comic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortable with strangers knowing about em. Then e created Gender Queer. Maia’s intensely cathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fan fiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears. Started as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Gender Queer is more than a personal story: It is a useful and touching guide on gender identity – what it means and how to think about it – .for advocates, friends, and humans everywhere.”
RELATED: Maia Kobabe wrote 2022's most attacked LGBTQ+ book
1. 'All Boys Aren’t Blue – A Memoir-Manifesto' by George M. Johnson
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
Courtesy Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Macmillan publishers
Published in 2020 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (FSG), a division of Macmillan.
From the publisher:
“Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren’t Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson’s emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.”
RELATED: George M. Johnson, Brontez Purnell discuss new books All Boys Aren’t Blue and 100 Boyfriends
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