Homosexuality

Georgia Lawmakers Attack Museum Exhibition Exploring AIDS Epidemic

By |2020-01-03T15:30:57-05:00June 1st, 2016|Blog, NCAC at work|

David Wojnarowicz (born 1954, died 1992) Untitled (Buffalo), 1988-89. Vintage gelatin silver print, signed on verso, 28⅝x35¾; inches. Collection of Michael Sodomick, Courtesy of the Estate of David Wojnarowicz and P.P.O.W Gallery, New York   In statements reminiscent of the culture wars of the 1990s, three Republican lawmakers in Cobb County, Georgia have attacked a museum exhibition that [...]

Famous Art Censored For Sensitive Types

By |2020-01-03T13:40:25-05:00April 7th, 2011|Blog|

In response to the disturbing story of a woman who attacked a Gauguin at the National Gallery, Flavorwire Art Editor Marina Galpernia has helpfully compiled a photo set of great works modified for those with...delicate sensibilities: Thou shall not show your wiener to God, Adam. Even if Michelangelo’s God is emerging out of an embracing pile of amorous angels, he [...]

David Wojnarowicz – censored once again

By |2016-01-15T10:35:30-05:00December 1st, 2010|Blog|

If David Wojnarowicz were alive to witness his video, Fire in the Belly, attacked by the Catholic League and removed from the National Portrait Gallery, he probably would not have been surprised. Wojnarowicz’s work received its share of controversy during the culture wars of 1989-90. His essay Postcards from America: X-rays From Hell caused National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) [...]

National Portrait Gallery Removes David Wojnarowicz Video from Exhibition

By |2020-01-03T13:38:58-05:00December 1st, 2010|Blog|

Yesterday (Nov 30th), in response to complaints from the Catholic League and several Republican representatives the National Portrait Gallery decided to remove Fire in My Belly, a video by multimedia artist David Wojnarowicz. The video was part of Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture, an exhibition exploring issues of sexuality and specifically gay sexuality (thought the official description of [...]

Interview with Maureen Johnson, YA author of The Bermudez Triangle

By |2019-03-13T18:18:20-04:00July 6th, 2009|Blog|

Kids’ Right to Read Project Director Jamie Chosak interviewed author Maureen Johnson about her experiences with censorship, including the recent challenge against her book, The Bermudez Triangle, in Leesburg, Florida.  Here’s an excerpt: The Kids’ Right to Read Project: Challenges against The Bermudez Triangle have focused on ‘homosexual themes.’ Some commentators have identified this as an increasing trend. Would you [...]

Interview with Brent Hartinger, author of challenged book, Geography Club

By |2019-03-15T15:22:32-04:00June 22nd, 2009|Blog|

Kids’ Right To Read’s Jaime Chosak interviewed Brent Hartinger, author of the young adult novel Geography Club.  Parents recently asked for the removal of the book from shelves in the West Bend Public Library in Wisconsin. Kids Right to Read Project: What was your motivation for writing Geography Club? Brent Hartinger: You know, it’s partly because the story is semi-autobiographical [...]

Hemingway, King, Sedaris kicked out of New Hampshire high school classes

By |2020-01-03T13:33:58-05:00June 19th, 2009|Blog|

A couple of recent censorship attempts at public libraries have been squashed, but yesterday a group of parents succeeded in banning four short stories from high school classrooms in Litchfield, New Hampshire.   School Superintendent Elaine F. Cutler stated that stories by authors including Stephen King, David Sedaris, and Ernest Hemingway will be removed from the “Love/Gender/Family” unit of a [...]

An interview with West Bend library board member on calls for book censorship

By |2019-03-15T15:22:31-04:00June 9th, 2009|Blog|

Kids’ Right to Read’s Jamie Chosak interviewed West Bend library board member Mary Reilly-Kliss about the book challenges in West Bend. Here’s an excerpt: Kids’ Right to Read Project: On June 2, 2009, West Bend’s library board voted to keep the books where they are. What was your experience of this meeting and how did you feel upon hearing this [...]

Free speech advocates make some noise, and books will remain on shelves in West Bend

By |2020-01-03T13:28:22-05:00June 4th, 2009|Blog|

The West Bend, Wisconsin public library battle finally ended Tuesday with the best decision possible.  The Library Board voted unanimously to keep the challenged books on the shelves, “without removing, relocating, labeling, or otherwise restricting access,” according to the West Bend Daily News. An inspiring demonstration of support for free speech among West Bend community members influenced the decision.  Last [...]

Board decides to restrict access to ‘Sex for Busy People,’ ‘The Lesbian Kama Sutra,’ ‘The Joy of Sex’ and ‘The Joy of Gay Sex’

By |2019-03-07T22:39:53-05:00February 20th, 2009|Blog|

In January, we reported on a Topeka, Kansas woman’s push to move books about sexuality to a restricted section. As Rebecca wrote then, “Restricting books may seem like a fine compromise, but it has a serious chilling effect on library patrons’ reading selection, and adopting such a policy would permit one person to enforce her views on everyone else.” Yesterday, [...]

The trend of pulling high school performances of RENT, need for students to fight for it

By |2020-01-03T13:19:58-05:00February 20th, 2009|Blog|

In December we covered the depressing situation at Rowlett High School where a teacher pulled a performance of “RENT: School Edition” after controversy about the play’s content. “RENT: School Edition” is a “modified” version of Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award winning musical about “bohemian” life in New York. The play explores the lives of artists struggling to live out a romantic [...]

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