Image looking up at the Supreme Court Building, with white marble steps and collumns, and statue of a robed figure seated on a chair.
When I began Love, Violet, I definitely expected silent censorship across large swaths of the U.S. I also anticipated vocal backlash (maybe online trolls), and there has been some of that. But for whatever reason, our sweet book has somewhat flown under the radar. Probably because the main characters are queer girls, who tend to be invisible in our culture, even if one of them is not gender conforming. Still, I’m not sure I expected our book to end up in a case before the Supreme Court.
I definitely hope they do not take the case, given their past rulings that have often allowed, in my view, religious oppression of others. Depending on the outcome, this could have devastating implications for free access to information and books for children across the country. But I hope it doesn’t come to that.
Caption: “New LGBTQ-inclusive books added to MCPS’ supplemental curriculum include colorful picture books like “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding” and “My Rainbow.” Credit: Em Espey” The image also shows the picture books “Born Ready,” “Prince & Knight,” “Intersection Allies,” and “Love, Violet.” Source: MoCo 360
The case is Mahmoud v. Taylor and involves religious parents in Montgomery County, Maryland, who have twice unsuccessfully sued for the right to receive advance notificaiton of the use of LGBTQ+-inclusive picture books in the classroom and to opt their children out of these activities. The Supreme Court has not yet revealed whether they will consider the case.
According to Maryland Matters, “The appeal is the latest twist in a case that began two years ago, when the schools unveiled a list of “LGBTQ+-inclusive texts for use in the classroom.” [. . .] The books were introduced in the 2022-23 school year and are not part of a mandatory reading list for the classrooms but can be used by teachers in classroom instruction” (“Montgomery Parents ask Supreme Court to review use of LGBTQ books in lower grades,” Sept. 16, 2024). The book list includes seven picture books. The case failed twice because the court did not find that the parents were being blocked from practicing or teaching their religion to their children.
It is not lost on me that the plaintiffs are claiming religious persecution. Yet my own spouse is an ordained chaplain, and her religious view that people of all genders, biological sexes, and orientationes are equal is often not considered a part of “religious rights.” The other strangeness is that I often worry about the safety and protection of immigrants and people from minority religions. It’s odd to find myself on the other side of a case. But here we are.
A row of various Pride and transgender flags along an outdoor fence. Credit: Em Espey
The most worrying aspect of this situation – and every censorship case – is that kids are hearing terrifying things said about themselves and people they love. Just as I did, growing up in an Evangelical clergy family. When they hear that even fictional stories like Love, Violet, are dangerous, the message is that queer PEOPLE are dangerous. And that can lead to self and peer rejection. It is the foundation for prejudice, even harm. Even if it isn’t the intention of the parents toward queer people (and some in their own families), this is the result.
No story has the power to change a person’s identity. Only how we or they feel care about each other. We don’t have to agree in order to be kind and respectful, to learn about each other. For all our differences, we all want to love and be loved. To be safe, to learn, to have purpose, food, shelter, and fun. We all want to belong. There is room in every classroom for kids of many religions and no religion. For cis-het kids and queer kids. For stories about ALL of us.
There is always room for kindness.
CSW
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