During Pride Month, NELA supports our LGBTQ+ library workers, patrons and students and renews our commitment to inclusive libraries. But Congress might strip non-discrimination protections.
Hello advocate! During Pride Month, ALA recognizes our LGBTQ+ library workers, patrons, and students, and we renew our commitment to championing libraries that include everyone. However, some in Congress have another idea to celebrate Pride: they want to strip non-discrimination protections from these very same communities. Congress is likely to vote this summer, so we need to get loud and alert our communities now: Write to Congress Now and Share with my Community A little background: this April, the Biden administration issued a rule to codify that, under Title IX, recipients of Department of Education funds may not discriminate on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. ALA supports this rule, which would protect LGBTQ+ library workers from employment inequities and protect LGBTQ+ students from seeing the shelves stripped of content with queer characters or themes. Sadly, dozens of Congressmembers are seeking to overturn these protections, and they will likely be able to force a vote on it. Across the country, anti-LGBTQ+ extremists are targeting schools and libraries, aiming to impose discriminatory censorship. Unfortunately, in many cases, they are succeeding. The Biden Administration's Title IX rule would affirm that all people – and all their stories – are welcome in school, public, and college libraries. Stand up for libraries for all: Stand Strong, Fight Back, and Share Pride promises that a future free of discrimination is possible. We believe it is and will continue to fight to make it so. To all our LGBTQ+ library advocates, thank you for all that you do. We wish you a safe and joyous Pride.
Act now by visiting the full alert and using this widget to get assistance through ALA to contact your congressmember.
ALA Public Policy & Advocacy
Thanks,
Aaron | 
