Publishers Join Iowa Book Ban Lawsuit

Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and Sourcebooks have joined a previously reported lawsuit opposing Iowa’s SF 496, a law that seeks to ban books depicting sex or involving gender identity or sexual orientation. They join existing plaintiffs Penguin Random House; the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA); authors Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Malinda Lo, and Jodi Picoult; three teachers; and a high school student.

“We as publishers are uniting in our unwavering commitment to stand with educators, librarians, students, authors, and readers against the unconstitutional censorship measures being imposed by the state of Iowa,” the publishers said in a joint statement. “Now, more than ever, we must stand firmly with our authors and readers to defend the fundamental right to read and the freedom of expression.”

Federal judge Stephen Locher blocked major aspects of the bill in December 2023, and the state filed an appeal in March 2024. The plaintiffs are calling for the court to uphold the block.

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