2022 Oklahoma Book Ban BINGO
Image description: 2022 Oklahoma Book Ban BINGO #FOKBookBingo22 (from top to bottom)
B: Checked out from your local library | Featured on the list of 50+ books AG O'Connor's office investigated | Nonfiction 2SLGBTQ+ representation | Written by a Two Spirit author | Something new to you about 2SLGBTQ+ history, advocacy, or activism
I: Written by a 2SLGBTQ+ author | Book cover contains 2SLGBTQ+ imagery | Book for kids with 2SLGBTQ+ representation | Cited in a press release, story, or debate around SB 1142 | 2SLGBTQ+ essay, short story, or art collection
N: Features a character who is Two Spirit, transgender, or nonbinary | An audiobook or digital book | Read any book | 2SLGBTQ+ coming of age story | A book groups have fought to ban because of 2SLGBTQ+ representation
G: Is on the American Library Association's Top 10 Most Challenged Books List | Author (or main character) has a disability | Features character(s) that uses pronouns other than she/her(s) or he/him/his | Has been considered for removal from a library by an Oklahoma school board | Recommended by a Freedom Oklahoma staffer
O: Includes protest against policing as a major plot point | Includes discussion of gender, beyond a binary | BIPOC author from Oklahoma | 2SLGBTQ+ romance | considered obscene by the expanded definition in HB 4013
There's a long history of banning and criminalizing 2SLGBTQ+ media. Unfortunately, this year, the Oklahoma Legislature is doubling down on those efforts. We’re pushing back on these policies grounded in fear and ignorance with knowledge. Join us in exploring the history of these efforts, and lifting up recommendations with #FOKBookBingo22. While we fight the ignorance of these policies, we can also engage in some collective advocacy and education by growing our reading lists with a book or two that our legislators would rather see banned.
Across social media (and beyond!) share out your recommendations, newest favorites, and Book BINGO progress with #FOKBookBingo22. We'll be amplifying those efforts, and sharing out some recommendations of our own! Whether you’re building your spring break reading list, or need some inspiration after finishing Metro Library OK winter reading BINGO, join us as we fight ignorance with a pile of books!
Brief History:
According to records obtained by The Frontier, this year's policy efforts had related support from the OK AG, where there are at least 51 books they considered characterizing as obscene for depictions of sex, 2SLGBTQ+ representation, policing, and/or protest.
In early March, the Senate Education Committee advanced one of these efforts, SB 1142, as a last-minute agenda addition.
While many eyes are on the state legislative level efforts, these fights are also happening at an increasing number of school boards across the state.
And we know by trying to classify 2SLGBTQ+ representation as obscene, we have always seen the separation, limited access, removal, or burning of books that include 2SLGBTQ+ representation and discussion of sexuality in Oklahoma.
And that those efforts extend into health and science education. With real-world impacts on the health and safety of 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans.
So while we fight the ignorance of these policies, we can also engage in some collective advocacy and education, by picking up a book or two that our legislators would rather see banned.