The ALA, a nonprofit organization with 50,000 members dedicated to the promotion of library service and librarianship, showcased sessions and panels that discussed the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ authors and the importance of reaching out to young audiences.
One session titled "Beyond the Middle School Rainbow: Intersectionality in LGBTQIA+ Middle Grade Books" featured queer and trans writers Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Robin Gow, and Mariama J. Lockington.
June 30, 2023
The panel focused on the book challenges and bans that specifically targeted their stories. The writers emphasized that while adults may oppose their efforts, children have been overwhelmingly supportive.
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"The kids get it, and that’s who I write for," said Ortega. "And adults are just going to have to deal with it."
June 30, 2023
Lockington added, "I kind of feel like I’m doing something right if I’m pissing people off with my stories in some way. We do a real disservice when we underestimate and overlook what young people are holding today."
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The conference also featured transgender woman and writer Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu as a key speaker. Wong-Kalu discussed the concept of m?h?, a Hawaiian term that refers to a "traditional third-gender person who occupies the space between male and female. " Wong-Kalu's picture book "Kapaemahu," based on an Indigenous legend, tells the story of four m?h? individuals.
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Wong-Kalu emphasized that the book is for all ages and has been used in a prison class to provide access to suppressed and denigrated stories.
Prior to the conference, the ALA released an updated guide called "LGBTQIA+ Books for Children and Teens," which aims to provide resources for LGBTQIA+ readers and their allies.
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The guide includes authors' perspectives on writing for children and offers recommendations for picture books that depict diverse gender and sexual dynamics.
In addition to LGBTQIA+ representation, the ALA conference addressed various diversity topics through panels and sessions such as "Reflecting the Diversity of Your Community in Your Collection," "Tradition or Discrimination: Is Your Beloved Team Mascot Cultural Appropriation?," and "Equity and Diversity in the Metaverse: Building a sustainable metaverse for libraries."
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Book bans were also a significant topic of discussion, with sessions like "Changing the Narrative: ALA Policy Corps Takes on Book Banners" and "Fight Book Bans: Frame the Debate, Fill the Seats, and Create Connections." The latter session specifically focused on strategies to combat organizations like Moms for Liberty, who advocate for book bans.
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Ibram X. Kendi, a prominent activist for critical race theory, spoke at the conference's "Rally for the Right to Read: Uniting for Libraries & Intellectual Freedom." Kendi drew parallels between current book bans and the Alabama Slave Code of 1883, which prohibited teaching slaves to read. He emphasized that those who support book bans are perpetuating ignorance, similar to the actions of enslavers and segregationists in the past.
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The ALA has faced criticism recently, including footage from a Zoom presentation in early June where a spokesperson appeared to discourage libraries from participating in the national "See You at the Library" event led by actor and writer Kirk Cameron. The spokesperson stated that libraries are not obligated to offer meeting room spaces or invite the public to use the library, as the First Amendment does not require it.
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