Former President Barack Obama in a Monday letter praised librarians who push LGBT-themed books on kids, without mentioning the sexually explicit content contained therein.
Obama criticized “book bans” across American school libraries, which have resulted from parents complaining of their children being exposed to sexually explicit content. The former president claimed many books which “shaped his life” are being banned in order to target LGBTQ, indigenous people and racial minorities.
“Today, some of the books that shaped my life—and the lives of so many others—are being challenged by people who disagree with certain ideas or perspectives. It’s no coincident that these ‘banned books’ are often written by or feature people of color, indigenous people, and members of the LGBTQ+ community—though there have been unfortunate instances in which books by conservative authors or book containing ‘triggering’ words or scenes have been targets of removal. Either way, the impulse seems to be to silence, rather than engage, rebut, learn from or seek to understand views that don’t fit our own.”
Today, some of the books that shaped my life—and the lives of so many others—are being challenged by people who disagree with certain ideas or perspectives. And librarians are on the front lines, fighting every day to make the widest possible range of viewpoints, opinions, and… pic.twitter.com/txhCTfH3Gh
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 17, 2023
He then claimed it is “ironically” Christians who are calling for banning sexually explicit books, adding that librarians are “attacked” by those who do not understand the essential role they play in society. (RELATED: Biden Bemoans Banning Of Pornographic Children’s Books)
“And you do it all in a harsh political climate where, all too often, you’re attacked by people who either cannot or will not understand the vital—and uniquely American—role you play in the life of our nation,” he said.
Sexually explicit books have been notably banned from school libraries in Florida and Virginia after complaints from concerned parents. Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis read graphic excerpts from books previously featured in Florida school libraries at a March 8 press conference.
One book, titled “Gender Queer,” featured a girl masturbating and performing oral sex on another girl. Another book called “Flamer” told the story of a gay boy who describes several sexually explicit interactions. Several books by poet Rupi Kaur include lines such as “masturbation is meditation” and “look me in the eyes, when you’re down there, eating for your life.”
Muslim parents in Dearborn, Michigan, revolted against a public school for exposing books about gay sex and transgenderism, including books titled, “This Book Is Gay,” and “All Boys Aren’t Blue.” Parents held up signs reading, ““Homosexuality Big Sin” and “Keep Your Dirty Books In The Closet” in front of a school board meeting that ended up being canceled.