[CASL-L] Fwd: July Update: Unite and Partners Respond to Mahmoud v. Taylor

[Past President]

For your information . . .



More on the Supreme Court decision + sign up for a free advocacy
storytelling workshop today.
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌
‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

No images? Click here
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-e-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-jd/>
[image: The Unite Against Book Bans logo.]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-r/>

Dear Jenny,

On Friday, June 27, 2025, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in *Mahmoud
v. Taylor
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-y/>*.
The 6-3 majority decision allows parents of public-school students to opt
their kids out of classes involving books with LGBTQ+ themes.

*Unite Against Book Bans stands with the educators, LGBTQ+ students and
families, and the dissenting justices who argued that the ruling could lead
to increased censorship and the erasure of LGBTQ+ identities from public
schools.*  Parental opt-outs are meant to support parents’ rights over
their own children’s education, but over the past several years we’ve seen
ideological organizations weaponize parental opt-outs to encourage
selective segregation of whole groups of people and ideas for entire
communities. The coordinated misuse of opt-outs undermines the very value
of public education – to bring us together, across our differences, as one
community. Everyone, no matter where they live, what they look like, or who
they love, deserves to see themselves and their experiences in books at our
schools and in our libraries. Reading helps us understand ourselves, our
world, and each other. Statements from Unite partners are linked below.

This ruling increases the urgency of our work, particularly at the
grassroots, community level. As we all feel the imperative to act in ways
that will minimize harm, consider joining Unite and Everyday Advocacy
for a free
virtual workshop tomorrow, July 16
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-j/> that
will strengthen your ability to advocate for the use of diverse books in
our schools and libraries, in alliance with fellow educators and community
members.

Read on for more from our partners, including some good news from
Connecticut. As always, thank you for your support for the freedom to read!

The Unite Against Book Bans team

News and Updates

*Unite Against Book Bans’ Partners Respond to Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme
Court Ruling*

   - A Statement on the Supreme Court Decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor
   <https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-t/>
(Authors
   Against Book Bans, June 27, 2025)
   - Supreme Court Censors Books and Attacks Public Education in Mahmoud v.
   Taylor Book Ban Case
   <https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-i/>
(GLAAD,
   June 27, 2025)
   - SCOTUS Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor Enables LGBTQ+ Discrimination,
   Harms True Religious Freedom
   <https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-d/>
(Interfaith
   Alliance, June 27, 2025)
   - Authors and Illustrators of Books in Mahmoud v. Taylor Case Respond to
   Supreme Court Ruling
   <https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-h/> (PEN
   America, June 27, 2025)
   - PFLAG National, Civil Rights Organizations React to Supreme Court
   Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor
   <https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-b/>
(PFLAG,
   June 27, 2025)
   - Statement Regarding the Mahmoud v. Taylor Supreme Court Decision
   <https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-n/> (We
   Need Diverse Books, July 2, 2025)

[image: Webinar: Storytelling for Advocacy. Wednesday, July 16, 2025. 7:00
pm CDT | 8:00 pm EDT. Unite Against Book Bans. Everyday Advocacy. Register
today!]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-p/>

*Storytelling for Advocacy: Interactive Virtual Workshop (FREE)*
Wednesday, July 16, 7:00 pm CT | 8:00 pm ET

Storytelling for Advocacy will focus on ways to use storytelling as a tool
to advocate for the use of diverse books in schools and libraries, in
alliance with fellow educators and community members.

Participants will be guided through a range of interactive narrative
development activities, small group work, and planning for local
implementation and amplification. *Attendees will leave with actionable
plans to put their learning into practice!*
Register Today
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-x/>
[image: Speakers from Unite Against Book Bans' special event pose together.]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-m/>

*Celebrating Youth Advocacy with DAYLO at ALA 2025 *• Kate Selvitelli, National
Education Association
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-c/> (Student
Activist of the Year) and Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization (
DAYLO <https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-q/>
)

DAYLO is a student-led pro-literacy group from South Carolina. Founded in
2021, DAYLO focuses on reading diversely as a form of advocacy, fostering
empathy and understanding among students, and empowering their community
service through inclusive literacy programs on and off campus. DAYLO was
honored to attend the 2025 ALA Annual Conference to share more about their
work, joined by thousands of library professionals, educators, publishers,
authors, and intellectual freedom activists and advocates.
Take a Look Back at ALA 2025
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-a/>
[image: A group of 75 Connecticut librarians stand in the Legislative
Office Building in Hartford, advocating for the state's Freedom to Read
legislation.]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-f/>

*What Connecticut’s New Freedom to Read Legislation Means *• Connecticut
Library Consortium
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-z/>

In an era marked by rising book challenges and increasing efforts to censor
educational and library materials, Connecticut has taken a bold and
necessary step to protect the freedom to read. The recently passed
legislation ensures that library collections, displays, and programs are
curated by professionals, guided by clear policies, and safeguarded from
political interference. This law does more than protect books; it affirms
our commitment to intellectual freedom, community-informed policies, and
the enduring value of libraries in a democratic society.
Why This Bill Matters and What the Law Does
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-v/>

[image: Graphic showing a cartoon fox heading up a mountain holding a book
labeled, Picture Book Summit.]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-e/>

*Defending the Right to Read: Picture Book Summit Stands Against Book Bans *
• Picture Book Summit
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-s/>

Picture books introduce young readers to new ideas, cultures, and
perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding. Yet today, more and more
picture books—particularly those exploring diverse identities, histories,
and experiences—are being challenged or removed from shelves.

The authors and illustrators who participate in Picture Book Summit—whether
as keynote speakers, workshop leaders, or attendees—create and support
books that celebrate inclusivity, curiosity, and free expression. That’s
why Picture Book Summit is proud to unite with librarians, educators, and
many other advocates and organizational partners as part of the Unite
Against Book Bans coalition and have named Unite as their 2025 charity
partner.
Check Out the October 4th Summit
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-g/>
[image: Intellectual Freedom News. Office for Intellectual Freedom.
American Library Association.]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-w/>

*Intellectual Freedom News *• ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-yd/>

Keep up on the latest intellectual freedom news by visiting the ALA Office
for Intellectual Freedom's blog. New posts that include information about
censorship, legislation, and state and local governance are published each
Friday.
Check Out the Blog
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-yh/>
[image: A divider line.]
[image: Join the fight against censorship and defend the freedom to read.]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-yk/>

Please consider helping us expand our efforts to unite against book
bans by reporting
censorship
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-yu/>,
encouraging friends, family, and beyond to join the Unite Against Book Bans
campaign
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-jl/>, or
donating today.
Donate
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-jr/>

[image: Bluesky]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-jy/>[image:
Instagram]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-jj/>[image:
Facebook]
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-jt/>


<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-l-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-ji/>

Unite Against Book Bans is an initiative of the American Library
Association, in partnership with organizations and individuals across the
country who believe in protecting the right to read.

For more information, visit https://UniteAgainstBookBans.org or email
UniteAgainstBookBans at ala.org.
Preferences
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.updatemyprofile.com/i-fkuldlt-F695D018-iykrdkydjh-jh>
  |  Unsubscribe
<https://uniteagainstbookbans.cmail19.com/t/i-u-fkuldlt-iykrdkydjh-jk/>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mylist.net/archives/casl-l/attachments/20250730/1101a594/attachment.htm>