The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Iowa Safe Schools, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ children, and seven Iowa students, ranging in age from fourth to 12th grades, and their families. One plaintiff, Iowa City high school senior Puck Carlson, said in an online news conference that the law is having a devastating effect on Iowa LGBTQ+ students. She has watched her younger LGBTQ+ sister struggle to feel safe in school since the law took effect, she said. Many of the banned books contain content of particular relevance to LGBTQ+ students, including LGBTQ+ characters, historical figures or themes. “As a result of the ban, LGBTQ+ students are denied the comfort of narratives that include LGBTQ+ characters and the solace that they are not alone,” the ACLU said.

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Persons: “, Thomas Story, Kim Reynolds, ” Reynolds, Puck Carlson, ” Carlson Organizations: American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Lambda, Republican, Iowa Safe Schools, Iowa, Iowa City, “, Schools, ACLU, Republicans Locations: Iowa