Keywords

Intellectual Freedom, Library Censorship, LGBTQ+ Rights, Freedom to Read, Book Challenges, Inclusive Collections, Library Programming

Abstract

The presentation Censorship Is Still a Drag explores the escalating challenges facing libraries as they strive to uphold intellectual freedom amid rising censorship efforts targeting LGBTQ+ materials and programming. Drawing from the book Censorship Is a Drag: LGBTQ Materials and Programming Under Siege in Libraries, the presenters—Jason D. Phillips, Jordan Ruud, Kestrel Ward, and Amanda Melilli—offer a comprehensive overview of the legal, political, and institutional pressures threatening inclusive library practices. Through case studies and firsthand accounts, the presentation examines the impact of both external censorship and internal resistance within libraries, and introduces the concept of “queer battle fatigue” to contextualize the personal toll on LGBTQ+ library professionals. Key topics include strategies for defending LGBTQ+ collections, the hidden erasure of queer content in archives, and the role of cataloging in discoverability. The session equips librarians with practical tools and critical insights to confront censorship, advocate for inclusive collections, and sustain their commitment to serving diverse communities in a time of increasing scrutiny.

Publication Date

6-28-2025

Original Citation

Phillips, J.D., Ruud, J., Ward, K., and Melilli, A. (2025, June 28). Censorship is Still a Drag: LGBTQ Materials and Programming Under Siege in Libraries. [Invited Panelist]. American Library Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Document Type

Conference Presentation

Publication Version

Author's version

Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Department

UCF Libraries

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