Book bans are wildly unpopular amongst most Americans, but that hasn’t stopped some senators from introducing a bill that would effectively amount to a national book ban.
Who do we have to thank for this fine piece of legislation? That would be
Republican Senators Jim Banks of Indiana, James Lankford of Oklahoma, and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. I am sure they would love to hear your thoughts on their bill!
Senate Bill 4925, like its companion bill in the House, HB 7661, is titled the “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act.” That’s just a fancy way of saying “we want to ostracize LGBTQ kids, families, and the people who love them, and don’t want children to understand their own bodies.” The bill’s language specifically prohibits books involving gender dysphoria or transgenderism—a tall order when Moms for Liberty sees transgender indoctrination lurking even in award-winning, bestselling picture books like Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn and Neither, where apparently cute animals are enough to raise the alarm.
So, what can you do about it? Every Library has a petition you can sign, as well as an easy way for you to email your members of Congress to express your disapproval of these bills. While there is little doubt that all of Iowa’s current Congressional representatives would fall all over themselves to gleefully infringe upon their constituents’ First Amendment rights, it’s still important to let them know where you stand. And once you’ve signed the petition and sent your emails, be sure to share the links on your socials so you can encourage others to do the same!
