Several conservative states, including Florida, Texas and Utah, have banned Becky Albertalli’s YA novel Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda. MSNBC’s Ali Velshi invited Albertalli to the Velshi Banned Book Club to talk about why her book and how so many LGBTQ stories are being targeted right now.

Set in the early 2010’s, Albertalli’s book tells the story of 16-year-old Simon Spier and his secret exchanges on Tumblr with a classmate he only knows as Blue. On the app, they share that they are gay, confide in each other, explore their sexuality and express their hopes. While Simon is sure his family will accept him warmly should he choose to come out, Blue’s family and friends may not be so welcoming if he does.

Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda is a coming-of-age story whose protagonist just so happens to be gay. Readers will find scenes in the book echoing their own awkward teenage exchanges with their parents, a universal experience regardless of one’s sexuality. “There’s this extreme self-consciousness, I think, that comes from trying on new aspects of your identity and yourself. But having to do this within the confines of the same context that you’ve always been in when you are a teenager living at home with your parents,” says Albertalli, “… and your identity is really a moving target especially at that point. It’s mortifying to have to do that in their gaze. It’s something I felt viscerally.”

Listen to Velshi and Albertalli discuss Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda

Watch Velshi and Albertalli talk about the targeting of LGBTQ+ stories

Velshi on banned books on MSNBC:

MORE FROM VELSHI’S BANNED BOOK CLUB