books/ writing content

📚When Book Bans Target Identity: A Closer Look at LGBTQ+ and POC Books Under Fire Introduction In recent years, the rise in book bans across schools and libraries has sparked a national conversation about censorship, politics, and identity. While advocates argue that certain materials are inappropriate for young readers, opponents warn that these bans disproportionately target marginalized voices, particularly those of LGBTQ+ individuals and people of color. The question is no longer simply about age-appropriateness—it's about power, erasure, and the right to be seen. This article explores the recent surge in book bans, the political motivations behind them, and why diverse stories are more vital now than ever. I. Understanding the Surge in Book Bans The American Library Association reported a record-breaking number of book challenges in 2023, with titles featuring LGBTQ+ themes, racial justice, and historical trauma topping the list. Many of these bans are implemented at the st...

🌈 From Subtext to Spotlight: How LGBTQ+ Characters Have Transformed YA Literature A critical yet personal exploration through key books Introduction: A Shelf That Once Felt Empty The first time I truly saw myself reflected in a book, I was already well into adulthood. As a teen, the YA section felt like a closet — vast and full of secrets, but rarely open to queerness. When LGBTQ+ characters did appear, they often existed in the margins or met tragic ends. But over the past two decades, something beautiful has happened: LGBTQ+ narratives have stepped out of the shadows and taken center stage in young adult literature. This is both a critical analysis and a personal journey — a reflection on how far we've come, and how far we still have to go. Phase One: The Lonely Years (Pre-2010s) YA books with LGBTQ+ characters weren’t impossible to find — but they were rare, and their portrayals often reinforced isolation, shame, or tragedy. Take Annie on My Mind by Nancy Garden (1982), a quie...