In honor of National Library Week and Right to Read Day, the ACLU of Michigan has launched an innovative map that tracks book bans and other forms of government censorship throughout the state.
Hostile Territory: Mapping Michigan’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Movement & other Government Acts of Censorship is a response to the proliferation of book bans – the vast majority targeting LGBTQ+ characters and themes – from public libraries and schools across the state. The map also tracks other instances of censorship by local governments and public schools to ban Pride Flags and other symbols of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The map is a resource to educate and provide advocacy tools for students, parents, and communities to fight back against these unprecedented attacks on our First Amendment rights.
It also builds on the critical work already being done by many organizations, including the MI Right to Read Coalition led by the Michigan Library Association.
“Over the past year, there have been more than 3,000 book bans across the nation, most of which target materials that feature the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and other marginalized communities,” said Loren Khogali, ACLU of Michigan Executive Director. “These coordinated and dangerous attacks undermine our First Amendment rights, and thwart the free exchange of information, ideas, and knowledge.
“Efforts to ban Pride flags and other symbols of LGBTQ+ support sends the message that LGBTQ+ people and students are not welcome, and fosters hate that is especially harmful to young people. Khogali said the right to read must be protected “so that we can freely learn and talk about the history, viewpoints and ideas of all communities in our state and nation.
“We will continue to combat these attacks on our First Amendment Rights and empower communities throughout Michigan to engage in this important work with us.”
Hostile Territory: Mapping Michigan’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Movement & other Government Acts of Censorship is a response to the proliferation of book bans – the vast majority targeting LGBTQ+ characters and themes – from public libraries and schools across the state. The map also tracks other instances of censorship by local governments and public schools to ban Pride Flags and other symbols of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The map is a resource to educate and provide advocacy tools for students, parents, and communities to fight back against these unprecedented attacks on our First Amendment rights.
It also builds on the critical work already being done by many organizations, including the MI Right to Read Coalition led by the Michigan Library Association.
“Over the past year, there have been more than 3,000 book bans across the nation, most of which target materials that feature the LGBTQ+ community, people of color and other marginalized communities,” said Loren Khogali, ACLU of Michigan Executive Director. “These coordinated and dangerous attacks undermine our First Amendment rights, and thwart the free exchange of information, ideas, and knowledge.
“Efforts to ban Pride flags and other symbols of LGBTQ+ support sends the message that LGBTQ+ people and students are not welcome, and fosters hate that is especially harmful to young people. Khogali said the right to read must be protected “so that we can freely learn and talk about the history, viewpoints and ideas of all communities in our state and nation.
“We will continue to combat these attacks on our First Amendment Rights and empower communities throughout Michigan to engage in this important work with us.”
