Reps. Cherfilus-McCormick, Wasserman Schultz Lead Call for DeSantis to End Florida Book Bans

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Reps. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) led fellow Florida Democrats in calling on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to end his administration’s campaign of censorship in Florida’s schools, citing evidence that book bans negatively impact LGBTQI+ and Black students. Additionally, this letter requests that Governor DeSantis substantively engage with educators, librarians, and parents to protect students’ rights to an inclusive, and comprehensive education. 

The lead authors were joined by a majority of the Florida Democratic Delegation, including Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), and Darren Soto (FL-09). This letter has been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, PEN America, the National Center for Transgender Equality, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), the Interfaith Alliance, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

According to PENAmerica, Florida became the national leader in banned books in the 2022-2023 school year, with a 40% increase in banned or challenged titles compared to the 2021-2022 school year. This concerning statistic is accompanied by the fact that many of these stories feature LGBTQ+ or Black characters. Unfortunately, this censorship represents a direct attack on these communities that ultimately impacts the well-being of Florida’s underrepresented students.

“The dangerous practice of banning books and silencing educators is not new and has always been used by those who want to roll back progress, sow fear and division, hide important truths, and foment moral panic. And banning books because they contain LGBTQ+ content or censoring educators and students in the classroom is a shameful attempt to silence LGBTQ+ stories and further isolate LGBTQ+ kids. There is no freedom in banned books, and all students ‒ no matter their background, sexual orientation, or gender identity ‒ deserve the freedom to feel safe and welcomed in schools and libraries,” said David Stacy, Human Rights Campaign Vice President for Government Affairs.

“Children deserve to see themselves in books, and to have access to a diversity of views and expressions. By making knowledge and ideas available via a wide range of books, school libraries serve the educational process. PEN America applauds Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick and Wasserman Schultz’s leadership in standing up for the freedom to read in Florida," said Katie Blankenship, Director of PEN America Florida. 

"The increasing prevalence of book bans, and the commensurate surge in legislative attempts to limit the teaching of race, gender, American history, and LGBTQI+ identities, is eroding the fundamental freedom for students to read, learn, and think critically,” said Rodrigo Heng-Lehtinen, Executive Director of the National Center for Transgender Equality. “These bans are often implemented without considering the harm they will cause to students, families, and educators. Such actions will only further alienate transgender youth from their peers and send the harmful message that transgender students and students of color don’t exist and don’t belong. In sending this message, we’re continuing to damage the mental health of an already vulnerable group such as transgender youth, who are more likely to experience suicidality, especially because of legislative attacks such as these. Everyone should have the freedom to see their identities and experiences reflected in the stories they read and in the lessons they’re taught in schools, including transgender children. Sweeping censorship will only continue to foster misunderstanding about transgender people among the public. By removing LGBTQI+ content from school curriculum and banning books containing LGBTQI+ identities & experiences, we are depriving future generations of a robust education informed by diverse perspectives and experiences." 

“According to GLSEN’s National School Climate Survey, 82% of LGBTQ+ youth reported feeling unsafe in school, and book bans are only causing more harm,” said Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of GLSEN. “Inclusive school curriculum – including access to books about LGBTQ+ people – can act as a window for young people into the diverse world around them, as well as a mirror to reflect their own experiences and identities. As adults, it is our job to model the future for the next generation, and our youth deserve to grow up in a society that celebrates – not limits – diversity.” 

“Book bans are being used by religious extremists in Florida to erase those who look, believe, or love differently than they do,” said Rev. Dr. Sharon Harris-Ewing, steering committee member of the Interfaith Alliance of Southwest Florida. “Schools and libraries are supposed to be spaces where young people are introduced to democratic ideals and the diverse points of view that shape our country. Censoring the stories of people from minority faiths, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and gender identities is antithetical to fulfilling America’s promise of religious freedom and civil rights for all. It is time to end this campaign of fear that violates our First Amendment freedoms and weaponizes faith to erase history and diverse viewpoints.”

“Gov. DeSantis has unleashed an army of book banners who claim they are protecting freedom and the rights of parents. The reality is that they bully school and library boards to deny the rights of parents who want an honest education for their children, free of ideologically inspired censorship,” said Howard Simon, Interim Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida.

The full text of the letter can be found here.