We are pleased to share this article in honor of Banned Books Week 2024.
Providing LGBTQ+ representation to youth in the United States has become exponentially harder as bans against LGBTQ-inclusive books sweep the country. This translates to fewer children seeing their feelings reflected back to them, looking at families that mirror their own, and learning that LGBTQ+ folks are no different from themselves.
Pride and Less Prejudice (PLP), a national non-profit, exists to combat the waning level of LGBTQ-inclusive books in schools. Since 2019, the organization has raised over $250,000 to donate more than 16,000 LGBTQ-inclusive books to Pre-K through 3rd grade classrooms in all 50 states.
In honor of Banned Books Week, PLP will host its fourth annual #BannedTogether virtual auction from September 26-29. The goal for 2024? To raise $20,000 and send 1,600 free LGBTQ-inclusive books to elementary schools across the country. While the number seems high, PLP has the support of a myriad of celebrities who’ve donated items and experiences to aid them in reaching their goal. Singer Janelle Monáe provided a signed and personalized book, Tony-Award winning actor Daniel Radcliffe donated a signed and personalized photo, iconic drag queens and comedic besties Jinx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme offered tickets to their holiday show (including a photo opportunity), and Big Freedia provided a signed vinyl.
Other celebrities contributing to PLP’s cause include:
The contributions of these LGBTQ+ community members and allies promises to bring in funds that will make an unmeasurable difference in the lives of many. In the 2022–23 school year, PEN America recorded 3,362 instances of book bans in U.S. public school classrooms and libraries. These bans removed student access to more than 1,500 unique book titles by over 1,400 authors, illustrators, and translators, with the most frequent targets being authors who are female, people of color, and/or LGBTQ+.
“In 2023, the American Library Association saw a 65 percent increase in the number of titles targeted for censorship compared to 2022, with a focus on books by and about LGBTQ+ people and people of color,” said Pride and Less Prejudice founder Lisa Forman. “Pride and Less Prejudice is committed to ensuring that students have access to LGBTQ-inclusive books at school and in their libraries to see themselves and their families represented.”
Ready to score some goodies for a righteous cause? Preview the full auction catalog here. And make sure to bookmark the auction here to start bidding on September 26.
