San Francisco bookstore delivers LGBTQ+ books to states where they are banned – Davidson News

At a time of growing political division, Becka Robbins channels her passion for books into a mission of inclusivity and education.

Promoting diversity through literature

From a small space at Fabulosa Books in San Francisco’s historic Castro District, Robbins runs a project called Books Not Bans, an initiative focused on distributing books about queer history, sexuality, romance, and more in areas where such literature is increasingly censored.

With the help of donations from customers, Robbins sends these books to groups across the country that would like them but face challenges due to the conservative movement’s efforts to ban them from public schools and libraries. “The book bans are terrible, an attempt at erasure,” Robbins laments. Her goal is simple but profound: to make sure these valuable resources reach those who need them most.

Overcoming obstacles with community support

Since launching Books Not Bans in May, Robbins has been diligently collecting donations and identifying recipients for her book shipments. Her contributions have reached places like a Pride Center in West Texas and an LGBTQ-friendly high school in Alabama. Fabulosa Books customers have been particularly enthusiastic about supporting the cause, often including letters of encouragement with their packages in states like Florida, Texas and Oklahoma.

According to a report by PEN America, a nonprofit literary advocacy group, over 40% of all book bans between July 2022 and June 2023 occurred in Florida, closely followed by Texas and Missouri. This rise in censorship efforts has also been documented by the American Library Association, which notes that book bans are reaching record levels and are now targeting both public and school libraries.

Empowerment through education and representation

Robbins firmly believes that access to diverse literature is crucial. “Fiction teaches us how to dream,” she says. “It teaches us how to connect with people who aren’t like us, it teaches us how to listen and empathize.” So far, she has shipped 740 books, with each shipment valued at between $300 and $400, depending on the title.

The impact of Robbins’ work is already being felt. At the new Rose Dynasty Center in Lakeland, Florida, books donated by Fabulosa Books sit proudly on the shelves. The center, run by Jason DeShazo — a drag queen known as Momma Ashley Rose — uses these books to promote literacy and provide a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. DeShazo hosts drag story hours, using puppets to address topics like kindness, dealing with bullies, and community engagement.

Robbins prefers to send out queer young adult romance novels, a fast-growing genre that reflects the mainstreaming of LGBTQ+ issues. “The characters are just normal kids – normal people who are also queer, but who are also allowed to fall in love and be happy,” she explains.