Beginning January 1, 2025, California public libraries will be prohibited from banning books addressing topics such as race, gender identity, or sexual orientation under the Freedom to Read Act (AB 1825). The law, introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), aims to protect access to diverse perspectives in public libraries amidst growing national debates over book bans.
Key Provisions of AB 1825:
- Prohibition on Book Bans: Public libraries cannot ban books based on their content related to race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
- Policy Requirement: Libraries must establish and publish a policy outlining how materials are selected, acquired, and managed, including a clear process for public challenges to library materials.
- Staff Protections: Library staff will be safeguarded from termination or disciplinary action for adhering to library policies when making programming decisions or refusing to remove books.
“Our freedom to read is a cornerstone of our democracy,” Muratsuchi said. “This law ensures Californians have access to books that reflect diverse voices, including the lived experiences of LGBTQ individuals and communities of color.”
The legislation responds to a rise in book bans and challenges across the United States, including California. It reflects an effort to uphold intellectual freedom and resist censorship in public spaces. Governor Gavin Newsom approved the measure in September, reinforcing California’s commitment to protecting free access to literature and ideas.
This law strengthens California’s stance against censorship and highlights the state’s dedication to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in public institutions.
Earlier this year, a California school district allegedly instructed a teacher to prepare a lesson on gender identity for fifth graders.
The teacher also read a book on the subject and had the students watch a video of the book with kindergarten mentees. The book, called “My Shadow is Pink,” describes a boy who sees his shadow as pink, a reflection of “your inner-most you,” First Liberty Institute explained. The book character then “wears a dress to school, and his dad changes his beliefs and puts on a dress too,” the legal group noted.
Parents with children in the Encinitas Union School District have since filed a lawsuit, demanding opt-outs and notifications of the content.
According to the lawsuit, opt-outs may not be given for individual lessons, only for the entire unit. Other content covered in the unit with gender instruction included “puberty, health reproduction, media influences on health habits and body image, hygiene, boundaries and bullying and diseases and their transmission, including information about HIV/AIDS.”
