Although I was skeptical in choosing a book that we discussed in class, I do find myself drawn to the religious elements of A Wrinkle in Time. There seems to be nothing too outlandish when it comes to L’engle’s use of religious elements (apart from the story itself being weird image-wise), so I wonder why exactly this book is targeted on the grounds of religion. Although I haven’t found anything in particular about the book’s challenging other than “religious reasons” with no context, it is interesting to see how people want Christianity to be delivered to readers, and if the message isn’t conveyed in the style that they wish for it to be, then it’s automatically considered “wrong” or “immoral.” I hope in re-reading the book and picking different elements of it, I’ll find something that helps to clear things up for me.

I agree with Leviathan that LGBT literature should not be an overlooked literature. Young adult literature is a time of growing, understanding, and changing as a whole. I can’t understanding how censoring literature is a good idea; it deprives our youth from being well rounded. Young readers find comfort in what they read, and often seek stories for lessons and help in their own life. LGBT is impotant to share about, because there are young adults who need to read about this life style and it may make their life easier as well. Censoring LGBT should be a thing of the past; its 2015 and same sex marriage is legal, so why are we still centering young adult literature for LGBT content?

Levithan makes a point that should be understood without saying (as a lot of social issues should), but expressing the need for works of LGBT literature to be presented to young adults is still something that authors have to do simply because the majority of the public are either against it or would prefer to turn a blind eye. Books being challenged after being presented in libraries is an issue, but what about the censorship that happens before a book is even published? Do LGBT stories for young adults get censored or even rejected by publishers because of the content? These are questions that I have that I have after reading his statement.

Another question that I will probably ask until I’m blue in the face is why do we even need to censor books with LGBT characters? It’s as if some of those who challenge these books believe that providing this content to young adult readers will “turn them gay,” which is something that, to this day, doesn’t make any sense. If we even go back to Selznick’s words on gay characters in children’s literature (Wonderstruck), having LGBT characters within stories provides representation for those who might share the same characteristics (race, gender, or sexuality) as the characters they read about. Perhaps this logic seems so obvious for some of us is because we can’t understand why books need to be challenged in the first place.

I found this article on diversity in books to be rather interesting. David Levithan essentially seems to feel that queer youth need to be represented in books for the same reason that any other group of people need to be represented in literature. It is humanizing to that group of people. By actively limiting the number of queer stories that get to be told, we are vilifying all queer people and saying that their stories are less important and less necessary. If anything, queer stories for children and young adults is even more necessary than most traditional YA stories. As a self-identifying queer person of color, I can testify to how a lack of representation in all media forms made it difficult for me as a young person. I came from a very religious family that refused to acknowledge queerness in any form as valid. Coming from this background, having a lack of other resources and media forms where I could encounter queer characters, I felt very isolated and alone, as if there was something wrong with me. As a queer writer, I hope to follow in Levithan’s footsteps and further push diversity in literature.

I loved the article on David Levithan and really enjoy the concept of being open to change. If you would have asked me a few years ago if I thought it was okay to have books about the LGBT community I may have said no. However, over the few years I’ve learned so much and have become a lot more open about this topic. Many of the people who are opposed to these topics were raised being told that it was wrong. I believe that challenging books such as these are beneficial and important to include in the school system. Often times LGBT children are bullied or treated unfairly by those who do not understand the concept of being gay. By publishing books such as these, being gay can be seen as more of a normality. People are uncomfortable around things that seem gay because to them it is not something they see every day.  I can personally say that when I first witnessesed it as a child I thought it was weird and I didn’t understand it. I was so used to everything I was told when growing up that it was difficult for me to accept. However, I’m glad that I began to witness it more frequently because it no longer feels weird to me. By reading books on gay relationships or having friends that are gay I’ve learned that relationships work the same either way. Although David Levithan’s books continue to be challenged, he continues to write and I love that. He is fighting for the future and he is getting through a wall of oppression. I deeply admire him and would like to continue reading his work.

LBGT literature is no different than young adult literature. With that being said I agree with Levithan that LGBT people are human beings as anyone else. Before Levithan and other LGBT authors LGBT individuals turned to literature as a source of validation, acknowledging and glamorizing same sex relationships. These stories give young adults whom in the LGBT community an outlet to cope and deal with tough situations in regards to their sexuality.