Banned Books Week: Truly Uncensored? LGBTQ+ Young Adult Literature

The UK has no official censorship – but does that fact make us too complacent?

As part of Banned Book Week 2019, we explore the challenges facing LGBTQ+ Young Adult literature with a panel of authors and experts. What are the invisible barriers to expression and publication? And how do editors, publishers, teachers, librarians, parents or even authors contribute to unofficial censorship around LGBTQ+ issues? Featuring Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries series and Polari-shortlisted poet Dean Atta,  Dean Atta was shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize for his debut poetry collection, I Am Nobody’s Nigger. He was named as one of the most influential LGBT people in the UK by the Independent on Sunday. The Black Flamingo is his debut novel, published by Hodder Children’s Books in August 2019.  Robin Stevens is the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-winning author of the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries. Her schoolgirl detective duo, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, have won her legions of dedicated fans. In the seventh mystery, Death in the Spotlight, Daisy came out as gay and Robin has received overwhelming support for her sensitive and inclusive portrayal of Daisy’s journey since the first book. Top Marks for Murder is the eighth mystery, published by Puffin in August 2019. Image: Dean Atta © Christian Sinibaldi and Robin Stevens © Chris Close 2018