The American Library Association (ALA)'s 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition, held in Chicago from June 22-27, brought attention to LGBTQ+ stories and authors for children and young adults. The conference, attended by the 50,000-member non-profit organization dedicated to library services, hosted sessions featuring authors like Claribel A. Ortega, Mark Oshiro, Robin Gow, and Mariama J. Lockington. These writers discussed the importance of reaching young audiences amidst ongoing book challenges and bans targeting LGBTQ+ narratives.
Several authors emphasized the support they receive from young readers, contrasting it with the resistance encountered from some adults. Mariama J. Lockington noted the disconnect between feedback from young people and concerns raised by adults about age-appropriate content, highlighting the potential harm in underestimating young people's understanding. The conference also featured transgender author Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, who discussed the Hawaiian concept of māhū, a third-gender identity, and their picture book "Kapaemahu," which explores this theme.
The ALA's updated guide, "LGBTQIA+ Books for Children and Teens," was also promoted at the conference. This resource aims to assist librarians and teachers in working with queer youth and features authors' perspectives on the importance of inclusive literature. The conference addressed various topics related to diversity and inclusion, including collection development, cultural appropriation of mascots, and equity in the metaverse.
Book bans were a recurring theme, with sessions dedicated to strategies for countering these challenges, including discussions on framing the debate and engaging with groups like Moms for Liberty. Critical race theory activist Ibram X. Kendi spoke at the "Rally for the Right to Read," drawing parallels between contemporary book bans and historical efforts to suppress literacy among marginalized communities. The conference also addressed recent controversies surrounding library access and the First Amendment, referencing a video of an ALA spokesperson discussing policies related to meeting room spaces and events like Kirk Cameron's "See You at the Library."
