"Alberta recently directed schools to purge library books from shelves that fit its definition of explicit sexual content by 1 October. If the policy is applied precisely as outlined, a host of books face being purged, including George Orwell's 1984 due to passages in the text that discuss sexual intercourse and rape. Academics and researchers who examine censorship say the policy specifically targets books that affirm LGBTQ+ identities"
"Turk says he and his colleagues are following more than 25 socially conservative groups across Canada that have similar mandates. Turk pointed to the Miramichi Freedom Warriors, a New Brunswick-based group, and Concerned Citizens Canada based in Manitoba, which have also been demanding that books that positively represent queer communities be removed from public libraries and schools. Many of these groups emerged as anti-vax groups during the Covid-19 pandemic, and then used social media to widen their scope of causes, including strict parental oversight."
Socially conservative parents' rights groups from the United States are influencing Canadian policy and have claimed success persuading Alberta to implement a broad public school book ban. Alberta ordered schools to remove library books meeting its definition of explicit sexual content by October 1, potentially purging titles including George Orwell's 1984 for passages referencing sexual intercourse and rape. Academics and censorship researchers state the policy disproportionately targets books affirming LGBTQ+ identities. Several Canadian groups, including Miramichi Freedom Warriors and Concerned Citizens Canada, have pushed for removal of queer-affirming materials. Many groups originated as anti-vaccination movements during the COVID-19 pandemic and expanded via social media. Lobbying also prompted Alberta to adopt opt-in sex education for fall 2024, requiring parental sign-up.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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