“You Can’t Ban That!” Book Banning and Queer and Trans Students in Utah

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 11:40 am Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Witnessing Exclusion: The Impact of Racism, Immigration Narratives, and Book Bans on Student Identities (Table 7)

Abstract

This paper explores the impact of book bans on queer and trans youth, illuminating how anti-queer and trans practices affect student identity and inclusion. Utilizing a critical ethnographic methodology, this research included in-depth fieldwork and interviews with queer students at a public high school in Utah. Guided by heteronormativity as a theoretical framework, this study reveals how book bans exemplify exclusionary practices, impacting students’ mental health and sense of belonging. The findings highlight the urgent need for inclusive educational policies that validate queer and trans identities, contributing to the broader discourse on educational equity and social justice. This research provides crucial insights for scholars and practitioners advocating for an affirming educational environment for queer and trans youth in schools.

Author

• Sonny Partola, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point