NEED TO KNOW
Weston Brown returned to his hometown in Texas to advocate against book banning after he saw a video of his mom Monica Brown calling for LGBTQ+ books to be removed from school libraries at a school board meeting
Weston’s story is showcased in Kim A. Snyder’s new documentary The Librarians
Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE, Weston says he “was ready to reengage, take some power back in the conversation and add my voice to the story”
Weston Brown was scrolling through Twitter one day in 2022 when he came across a video of his mom Monica Brown calling for LGBTQ+ books to be removed from school libraries at a school board meeting in his hometown of Granbury, Texas.
Weston, who was raised a Fundamentalist Evangelical Christian, knew right away that he needed to speak up, so he connected with locals and returned home to advocate against book banning at a school board meeting himself.
There, he addressed an audience that included his mom, saying, “It’s been nearly five years since I came out to my family. I’m not allowed to join in family celebrations or holidays, or be part of my eight siblings’ lives, all because I’m not straight. I’m here to implore you to listen to librarians, educators and students, not those speaking from a religious perspective or at the bidding of a political group.”
“If you choose to marginalize differences and remove representation, you will only cause harm,” he continued.
Courtesy of 8 Above and THE LIBRARIANS documentary, DP Amy Bench
Weston Brown in ‘The Librarians’
The young man’s story is showcased in Kim A. Snyder’s new documentary The Librarians, which dives into book bans sweeping across the United States and how it affects librarians, community members and students.
Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE, Weston, now 31, explains that his involvement in the documentary came naturally as the film crew was already at the school board meeting he attended. But looking back on where it all started, he says he felt motivated to reclaim his story after he saw the viral video of his mom.
“I had reached a point where enough time had passed after some tumultuous things that had happened in my life previously, that I was ready to reengage, take some power back in the conversation and add my voice to the story,” he says.
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The wave of book bans in Texas, at the time, was sparked by the then-Texas State Representative Matt Krause, who released a list of 250 books that he felt needed to be removed from schools and libraries. The list contained many titles focused on race and sexuality. While no direct plan of action was announced, the former politician requested that schools and libraries report back on whether any of the books were on their shelves and where the funding for them came from.
Weston recalls feeling shocked to see his mom involved in the censorship movement, as neither he nor his siblings ever attended public school. However, he knew the issue went far beyond his estranged relationship with her and his conservative upbringing.
“I, through a number of years of therapy, time and healing, had really come to a place where I wasn’t there with a message for my mom or even a confrontation for my mom,” Weston says. “I was there for a message for the board, for teachers, for educators, for those who were willing to listen. That gave me strength because the work of trying to break through and communicate with my mom is really too heavy of a burden for me.”
Courtesy of 8 Above & THE LIBRARIANS documentary, DP Paulius Kontijevas
Production still from ‘The Librarians’
Although Weston had the best intentions, he still found himself antagonized by his mom in return. The documentary shows Monica filming Weston on her phone during his speech and, again, later when he was being interviewed by the media. She was also shown being called to the podium to speak after her son, during which she used vulgar language to accuse school libraries of having sexually explicit books on their shelves.
“That’s my mom, who birthed me, who raised me, and fed me and took care of me. Is it some sort of religious psychosis, years of messaging from extremist pastors and political leaders? Because when I look at my mom, I see someone who absolutely believes what she’s saying. And I see someone who looks scared,” Weston said in the documentary.
While Weston was already alienated from his family because of his sexuality, he notes that the events in 2022 worsened the situation. “There’s a lot that’s being missed,” he admits, adding that he knew attending the school board meeting would be “crossing the line” with his mom.
Speaking out, he says, “almost assuredly guaranteed that I wouldn’t be allowed to have a relationship with my siblings until they turned 18, or until they live on their own. Some of them are 18, still living at home with no access to the internet, phones or communication.”
Weston’s relationship with his family hasn’t changed, as he says they are “tightening even more and slipping further into paranoia.” As for his mom, who is currently running for the local school board, “our connection is very limited. I occasionally receive articles, quotes or bible verses, but there’s nothing really meaningful happening right now.”
“I’m worried about my siblings, their wellbeing and their ability to thrive in the world,” he adds.
Monica Brown did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
8 Above
‘The Librarians’ poster
Regardless of Weston’s relationship with his mom, he says that his life now is “so much brighter, fuller and richer than I could have ever imagined, and I can’t underscore that enough.” He lives in California with his partner of two years, Andrew, and has begun writing a book called Banned about his extreme religious upbringing.
The book, Weston says, started out as a letter to his siblings. “It’s speaking directly to them, and it’s been powerful and healing.”
When it comes to Weston’s involvement in the documentary, he and Snyder were brought together by influencer, advocate and Granbury hair salon owner Adrienne Martin. The director felt as though she hit a goldmine in the world of verite documentary filmmaking, saying that Weston’s story ultimately became “the heart” of the movie.
“Weston’s story has resonated with audiences. It is the emotional core of what it means to other kids when we don’t want gay characters in books. They feel it. It’s like, ‘We don’t want you,’ ” she says.
Neilson Barnard/Getty
Kim A. Snyder attends the 2025 Sundance Film Festival Gala Fundraiser on Jan. 24, 2025 in Park City, Utah.
The Librarians made its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and screened at other festivals before its Oct. 3 theatrical release. As more people have been getting their eyes on the film, Weston has found himself on the receiving end of outreach and support from strangers online.
“It is a really fulfilling feeling to see that the support has outweighed the opposition by a massive factor,” he says.
As for what he’d share with people, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, who are also receiving pushback from their family or communities, he recites a biblical verse that he grew up with: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.”
“For so long, I believed that I was inherently broken and wrong, and the world would be better off if I wasn’t in it. So many people approach those dark moments and can’t get out of them and are consumed by them. I had the privilege and the good fortune of having some really amazing people in my life that kept me here,” Weston shares.
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“To anyone growing up like that, know that you are not alone. I was in my teen years when I saw a barista who had a pride pin on their apron, and that was that moment for me of like, ‘Wait, how are they here? What does this mean?’ ” he continues.
“The journey is hard, but it’s worth it,” Weston says. “Once you pull out of that orbit of control and fear, and the grooming and the indoctrination, there is so much light and freedom on the other side.”
The Librarians is now playing in theaters.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health challenges, emotional distress, substance use problems, or just needs to talk, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org 24/7.
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