CYNTHIA VARADY

All That Glitters is Prose

Banned Book Project

Music from Another World by Robin Talley | Banned Book Project

Music From Another World Synopsis:

It’s summer 1977 and closeted lesbian Tammy Larson can’t be herself anywhere. Not at her strict Christian high school, not at her conservative Orange County church, and certainly not at home, where her ultrareligious aunt relentlessly organizes antigay political campaigns. Tammy’s only outlet is writing secret letters in her diary to gay civil rights activist Harvey Milk…until she’s matched with a real-life pen pal who changes everything.

Sharon Hawkins bonds with Tammy over punk music and carefully shared secrets, and soon their letters become the one place she can be honest. The rest of her life in San Francisco is full of lies. The kind she tells for others—like helping her gay brother hide the truth from their mom—and the kind she tells herself. But as antigay fervor in America reaches a frightening new pitch, Sharon and Tammy must rely on their long-distance friendship to discover their deeply personal truths, what they’ll stand for…and who they’ll rise against.

A master of award-winning queer historical fiction, New York Times bestselling author Robin Talley once again brings to life with heart and vivid detail an emotionally captivating story about the lives of two teen girls living in an age when just being yourself was an incredible act of bravery. –Robintally.com

Location Challenged or Banned:

Cheyenne, Wyoming 2021 – After discovering several books promoting sex-positivity and LGBTQIA+ issues, conservative parents began submitting reconsideration forms to the Campbell County Public Library. Music From Another World is under review by the library committee to determine whether it will be retained or removed from the library.

Reasons:

LGBTQIA+ issues, deemed obscene, anti-Christian.

Sources:

Library makes progress on 35 book reconsideration. https://county17.com/2021/10/04/library-makes-progress-on-35-book-reconsiderations/

Campbell County Public Library Facebook Page. https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4622803787744021&id=125975157426929

Campbell County officials abet bullies in battle of radicals v. librarians. https://wyofile.com/campbell-county-officials-abet-bullies-in-battle-of-radicals-v-librarians/

Wyoming librarians under fire for books about sex, LGBTQ issues. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/wyoming-librarians-under-fire-books-about-sex-lgbtq-issues-n1280704

Wyoming librarians under fire for books about sex, LGBTQ. https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-lifestyle-business-wyoming-nonfiction-22b0a682cb5ba95de8eb3975d101228c

CAMPBELL COUNTY COMMISSION. CAMPBELL COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 7/07/2021 AGENDA. WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, 2021. 9:00 AM. https://play.champds.com/gillettewy/event/117?fbclid=IwAR18s3w0XBuAb18aCqKRDwFTcIyzxqDe-Z8Z5-ekEKxB9TOhksh3jufResM

Gillette grapples with anti-LGBTQ bigotry. https://wyofile.com/gillette-grapples-with-anti-lgbtq-bigotry/

Librarians in Wyoming face criminal ‘obscenity’ charges for stocking LGBT+ books in teen sections. https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2021/10/05/wyoming-campbell-county-library-lgbt-books/

LIBRARIANS FACE POSSIBLE CHARGES FOR CARRYING SEX EDUCATION BOOKS. https://bookriot.com/campbell-country-library-challenges/

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Cynthia Varady

Cynthia Varady is an award-winning short story writer and Pandemonium Cozy Mystery Series author. She resides in Portland, OR with her husband, son, and two kitties. Cynthia has a BA in English Literature and a Master's in Library and Information Science. In addition to writing, Cynthia loves baking on the fly, crocheting, playing video games with her family, and reading mysteries.

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