Nonprofit organisation Pride and Less Prejudice (PLP) is hosting its third annual Banned Together Auction to combat LGBTQ+ book bans. Running from October 5-8, it has gained significant support from over 30 celebrities, who have contributed desirable items to the cause.

The virtual auction takes place during Banned Books Week, and US residents are invited to bid on lots, purchase merch or make online donations. The fundraiser aims to raise over $15,000 to ship 1,000 LGBTQ+-inclusive books to elementary schools across the States.

Some items available to bid on include a personalised video message from Glee star Chris Colfer, a signed copy of Neil Patrick Harris’s book The Magic Misfits, a pair of Orchestra seats to Melissa Etheridge: My Window on Broadway, and a signed photo of Daniel Radcliffe. Additional items contributed to the auction combatting LGBTQ+ book bans include concert tickets, original art and autographed collectables.

 

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In the past two years, the US has experienced an uptick in anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, culture and legislation. Far-right politicians, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, have advocated for book bans, and other countries, like Ireland, have experienced a spike in anti-LGBTQ+ library protests.

However, powerful voices and organisations like PLP are fighting back. Additionally, in September, Ariana Grande, Billy Porter, Natasha Lyonne, Roxane Gay, Sarah Paulson and over 150 other celebrities signed an open letter condemning LGBTQ+ book bans in the US.

Dictators ban books democracies do not. Floridians are united in our fight for freedom, democracy and civil rights. https://t.co/4zAAKYwOvP

— Debbie Mucarsel-Powell (@DebbieforFL) October 5, 2023

Pride and Less Prejudice was founded in 2019 to help students be more accepting of themselves and their peers by providing public schools with LGBTQ+-inclusive literature. The group firmly believes in creating societal change through representation, and its catalogue includes books that centre queer characters from racially, linguistically and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

PLP believes all children deserve to see their lives, identities and families reflected in literature and normalised by high-quality representation, sharing: “The earlier children are exposed to identities other than their own, the easier it is for them to navigate the messages they receive from the heteronormative, patriarchal society in which they live.”

Over the past four years, the organisation has already donated over 10,000 books to classrooms in all 50 US states, including resources to help spark conversations and discussions, too.

PLP Founder, Lisa Forman, said: “In 2022, the American Library Association saw book bans reach a high point, almost doubling from 2021, and LGBTQ+ books were the most targeted.”

Forman added: “Young kids deserve to see themselves and their families represented in schools, and that’s why PLP’s work to send LGBTQ-inclusive books to teachers is more important than ever.”