In recent years, several states have enacted bans on queer books, citing unsubstantiated claims ranging from content deemed inappropriate to concerns about age-appropriateness. These bans have restricted access to diverse and affirming literature for the LGBTQ+ community, leading to feelings of erasure and marginalization, and hindered the representation and visibility of queer identities, which is crucial for fostering understanding and acceptance.

In this episode, Alexander Rigby, a New York Times Bestselling Editor at Penguin Random House and curator of the publisher’s LGBTQ+ Network, joins us to discuss the impacts of queer book bans on LGBTQ+ people, how Penguin Random House is continuing to promote queer voices, and ways the LGBTQ+ community can support queer authors and push back against unjust book bans.

Related Episodes:

• Listen to Episode 95. Take a Page from #GayBookstagram (with Rod Lujano)
• Listen to Episode 101. Sci-Fi: The Future is Queer (with TQ Sims)

Additional Resources:

• Learn More About Alexander Rigby
• Follow Alexander on Instagram
• Follow Penguin Random House LGBTQ+ Network on Instagram
• Check Out Pride in Your Words
• Follow Penguin Random House on Instagram

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