California is on the verge of banning book bans

While California is generally perceived as a progressive stronghold, anti-LGBTQ+ culture wars have repeatedly sprung up in small pockets of the state. To curb this advance, California has already passed some legislation protecting LGBTQ+ students. Now, California may put a ban on book bans that target queer materials.

Assembly Bill 1825, or the California Freedom to Read Act, requires libraries receiving state funding to adopt inclusive policies that provide access to diverse materials. While the bill establishes a process for challenging library materials, it prohibits librarians or citizen review committees from removing any book on the basis of protected characteristics such as race, sexual orientation, gender identity and much more.

The bill also prohibits restricting access to books that simply reference sexual content without obscenity. This last part is particularly important as conservative groups (like the review committee that has sprung up in Fresno) deflect accusations of bigotry by claiming they are only concerned with pornography — at least, as they define it.

The bill has been spearheaded by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, representing Torrance, California. “Teens exploring gender identity issues absolutely should have access to books that speak to their experiences and that may provide support or guidance,” Muratsuchi told regional outlet Cal Matters.

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“At the center of this bill is the fundamental respect for professionally trained librarians to be making the decisions as to what book titles and how to present them to the general public,” Muratsuchi added.

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The bill couldn’t come at a more apt time. Not only are anti-LGBTQ+ book bans rising nationwide, but Fresno has become the site of California’s first citizen review committee. County Supervisor Steve Brandau organized the committee after reviewing books in a library Pride display. Afterwards, he reached out to legislators in red states for advice on how to replicate their tactics in California.

“I don’t like a kid going in there and seeing ‘I can choose to be a boy or girl,’” Brandau said. “It didn’t seem age-appropriate, especially without the parent being involved.”

Other local officials have attempted to break with California’s positive track record on LGBTQ+ rights, but the results have been poor. Last year, a Temecula school board president attempted to ban a textbook because it taught students about Harvey Milk. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that penalizes school boards for censoring classrooms. The school board president was later recalled by voters.

More recently, the state has passed legislation prohibiting schools from outing trans students to their parents (and unintentionally ridding residents of Elon Musk).

The California Freedom to Read Act passed the Assembly in May and has been working its way through Senate committees since. It has until the end of August to pass the Legislature in order to be signed into law. Gov. Newsom has declined to comment on the bill until it reaches his desk.