• North Dakota House Majority Leader Mike Lefor (R) has proposed legislation that would prohibit public libraries from maintaining books with LGBTQ characters and themes.
• The legislation defines a “sexually explicit” book as one that contains a “visual depiction” of twelve items, including “sexual identity” and “gender identity.”
• Librarians argue that the legislation would require them to remove most books with LGBTQ characters, and that it promotes censorship and book bans.
• The legislation provides that librarians that make prohibited materials available would face “up to 30 days imprisonment” and a $1500 fine.
• Lefor introduced the legislation because the book “Let’s Talk About It: The Teen’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human” was available in public libraries.
• The legislation is likely unconstitutional, as the Supreme Court has ruled that governments are not permitted to remove materials from libraries because they disapprove of the content.
• Lefor is supported by some of the most prominent corporations in the United States, including Johnson & Johnson, AT&T, NextEra Energy, ConocoPhillips, and Marathon Petroleum.
Published January 26, 2023
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