A federal judge blocked enforcement of portions of an Iowa law that bans books from school libraries and discussion about LGBTQ topics in the classroom, ruling that the language of the law was overly broad, CBS News reports. Although the law won’t go into effect until January 1st, many challenges to books in school libraries have already been made under the law resulting in titles removed from shelves.
Judge Stephen Locher, a Biden appointee, ruled that the Iowa law was “incredibly broad” and noted that the law has already led to the removal of historical accounts, classic literature, and award-winning contemporary books. Locher noted that schools had already removed “books designed to help students avoid being victimized by sexual assault.” Locher also called the provision of the law banning teachers from discussing gender and sexuality issues with students “wildly overbroad.”