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A space where individuals can celebrate diverse literature with no restrictions
Photo Credits: Texas Monthly
"Texas banned more books from school libraries this past year than any other state in the nation, targeting titles centering on race, racism, abortion and LGBTQ representation and issues..."
"Texas banned more books from school libraries this past year than any other state in the nation, targeting titles centering on race, racism, abortion and LGBTQ representation and issues..."
-The Texas Tribune
The Unlocked Library is a club founded by two high school students. Witnessing the increasing censorship within their libraries and their classrooms, they harnessed their mounting frustration and redirected it to the Unlocked Library club; an organization meant to combat restrictive guidelines on 'appropriate' literature. The Unlocked Library is based in Southlake, Texas; however, digital meetings may also take place. The Unlocked Library fights repressive bans by introducing outlawed material to high school students and hosting seminars/discussions to understand the readings.
Press coverage about the ban
Press coverage about the ban
“As I’ve struggled with my own identity as a queer person, it’s been really, really important to me that I have access to these books,” said the girl, whom NBC News is not naming to avoid revealing her sexuality. “And I’m sure it’s really important to other queer kids. You should be able to see yourself reflected on the page.”
Mike Hixenbaugh, 2-1-2022, "Book banning in Texas schools: Titles are pulled off library shelves in record numbers," NBC News, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-books-race-sexuality-schools-rcna13886
"Gender Queer," written by Maia Kobabe, has been removed from several public school libraries.
"I always knew that the title wasn’t conservative-friendly, but I remain hopeful of the impact my book can make and the people it can reach."
Michael Arceneaux, 11-5-2021, "Opinion," NBC News, https://www.nbcnews.com/think/politics-policy/texas-gop-school-book-ban-strategy-hurts-students-authors-rcna4601
"“I ignored [my sexuality] for a really long time. And I think that as a young girl, if a book showed me that this is a life that could be lived, I could have had a lot more peace and coming to terms with bisexuality,” said Izu, who attends James E. Taylor High School in the Katy Independent School District near Houston.
Here and there, Texas students are forming their own book clubs to read what adults want banned.
Brooke Park, xx-xx-xxxx, "Texas students push back against book bans for censoring LGBTQ, racial justice issues," Texas Tribune, https://www.texastribune.org/2022/03/07/texas-students-banned-books-protest-clubs/
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