Filtering
Attack target: LGBTQ People ×
Trait: Textbooks and museums are altered to erase dissent and accountability ×
Clear all
☆ Save this search
Narrow these 3 — tap a value to filter:
Tier 1 carried by a primary record
Corroborated 2+ independent news desks
Every result is verified and democracy-related.
Open an event to see its evidence. Attack and trait tags link to their definitions
Apr 22, 2026 American Library Association documented a record 5,668 book bans from U.S. libraries in 2025, with 92% driven by government or official pressure Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
Record-scale censorship disproportionately targeted materials about LGBTQ people and people of color, undermining intellectual freedom.
Independently corroborated by1 independent news desk
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- American Library Association reports record 5,668 books banned from US libraries in 2025 — The American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom documented 5,668 books banned from US libraries in 2025, with an additional 920 censored through access restrictions. Challenges targeted 4,235 unique titles. The report found that 92% of challenges came from pressure groups, decision-makers, or government officials—a significant increase from 72% in 2024—and that 40% of challenged materials involved LGBTQ+ people or people of color. The most-banned book was Sold by Patricia McCormick.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 66 – 2026-04-18–2026-04-24
wk66_IM_010
Jun 10, 2025 The Department of Defense removed books and DEI-related materials from military academies and schools and banned pride flags in some government spaces Corroborated Information, Memory and Manipulation
The removals and bans used state authority to restrict what could be read, taught, and displayed in official institutions.
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- Department of Defense bans books from Naval Academy — The Department of Defense ordered the removal of nearly 400 books from the U.S. Naval Academy library, targeting works related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Although some books have been returned, the action reflects a broader effort to control educational content in military institutions.
- Department of Defense bans DEI-related books and instruction — The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) instructed schools to remove books and cancel activities related to gender ideology and DEI. This directive, part of compliance with executive orders, has led to legal challenges from students claiming First Amendment violations.
- Departments of Veterans Affairs and State ban pride flags — The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Department of State have banned the display of pride flags and similar symbols in employees' private offices and consular posts. This action reflects the administration's stance against LGBTQ+ visibility in government spaces.
Verified: Corroborated — 2+ independent news desks
Week 21 – 2025-06-07–2025-06-13
wk21_IM_019
Jun 3, 2025 Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the Navy to remove Harvey Milk's name from a ship Tier 1 · Primary Power and Authority
The order used executive control over military symbols to reshape official recognition of a marginalized public figure.
Independently corroborated by5 independent news desks
Associated Press · Military.com · NPR · ABC News · PBS
Supporting reportingSurfacings — do not carry alone
Supporting reports
- US Defense Secretary Orders Renaming of USNS Harvey Milk — US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the US Navy to remove the name of Harvey Milk, a prominent gay rights activist and navy veteran, from a ship. The decision, announced during Pride month, is part of a broader initiative to align with the objectives of President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense priorities, which emphasize reestablishing a "warrior culture." The renaming of the USNS Harvey Milk, a fleet replenishment oiler, will be officially publicized on June 13. This move is part of a larger plan to rename other vessels named after historical icons.
Verified: Tier 1 primary record
Week 20 – 2025-05-31–2025-06-06
wk20_PA_013