The Bodacious Bookstore in Pensacola faced backlash after reports emerged that employees were instructed to remove LGBTQ+ titles from shelves. Interim manager Beth O'Connor allegedly directed staff to pull over 60 books, with many being LGBTQ+ related. The bookstore claimed that it was merely a temporary removal for review after receiving complaints regarding age-inappropriate content. However, former employees expressed emotional distress over the decision, highlighting a cultural and ethical conflict in literature availability and representation in the community.
A former employee who wished to remain anonymous told NBC News she cried when she was instructed by O'Connor to remove the LGBTQ+ titles. When she refused, the employee said she was sent home to reflect if she wanted to work at the store.
Employees told NBC News roughly half of the titles removed from the shelves contained LGBTQ+ content. The titles removed included the Heartstopper series by Alice Oseman, and lesbian tennis icon Billie Jean King's and Elliot Page's memoirs.
Bodacious Bookstore denied they had permanently removed any books, saying they had only temporarily removed some titles for review.
Bodacious Bookstore said in a post to social media that they 'not banned any categories of books' but instead 'temporarily' pulled some titles for further review.
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