GLAAD RESPONDS TO SCHOLASTIC DECISION TO REMOVE SEGREGATED BOOK LIST FROM SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIRS

(New York, NY – October 25, 2023) GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, issued the following statement in response to Scholastic’s policy reversal regarding books by and about LGBTQ people and people of color.

The previous policy, announced earlier this month, offered schools and book fair organizers an option to opt-out of offering a Scholastic-selected group of books, primarily books by and about LGBTQ people and people of color. Titles included children’s books about Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black female Supreme Court Justice, and All Are Welcome, a picture book about families that includes same-sex parent families and couples.

Scholastic announced today it was ending the opt-out list for its next season of book fairs beginning in January.

GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis responded on Instagram:
“Scholastic’s decision to stop segregating diverse books at its Book Fairs shows that the company has listened to readers, authors, educators, anti-censorship advocates and community members. An overwhelming majority of Americans reject book bans and reject the extremist fringe few who look to dictate what other people read and what other people’s children read. Every student deserves to see themselves and their families reflected in books. Rather than feed the book ban crisis and appease extremists, Scholastic’s Book Fair can now continue to focus on the joy of reading and discovery, to offer students and parents more choice, access, and stories that accurately reflect and truly represent all voices.”

An Ipsos poll from October 2 shows:

• 80% of Americans believe K-12 public schools should teach students about cultures, identities, and perspectives that may be different from their own.

• 71% say they would be less likely to support a candidate who supports statewide policies limiting what can be taught in public schools

A poll from EveryLibrary conducted in August found book banning to be overwhelmingly opposed:

• 95% of Democrats, 80% of independents, and 53% of Republicans are against book bans and will consider book bans when voting.