To the editor:
Concerns of patrons of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County regarding LGBTQ books remain unresolved.
In the children's section of the library, along with the stories of Dr. Seuss, children can select from the shelves, "This Day in June" by Gayle Pittman. The back cover details this cartoon illustrated text as follows:
"In a wildly whimsical, validating and exuberant reflection of the LGBT community, 'This Day in June' welcomes readers to experience a pride celebration and share in a day when we are all united. Also included is a reading guide chock-full of facts about LGBT history and culture, as well as a Note to Parents and Caregivers with information on how to talk to children about sexual orientation and gender identity in age-appropriate ways. 'This Day in June" is an excellent tool for teaching respect, acceptance and understanding of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people."
In response to repeated requests beginning in October to relocate "This Day in June" and other books of this nature to the parenting section. The library's board of trustees issued a letter addressing the LGBTQ collection and displays indicating that movement of LGBTQ books could represent a violation of the first amendment rights of LGBTQ patrons and subject the library to lawsuits.
Categorization of books, organized into common themed sections, is a fundamental principle of libraries. Categorization allows for free accessibility because books can be located. Therefore, freedom of expression, the fundamental tenet of the First Amendment, is not violated.
The consequence of leaving "This Day in June" in the children's section is that children are exposed to age-inappropriate material which can create confusion in developing minds. For example, in the reading guide of "This Day in June" a scene entitled, "Motors roaring/Spirits soaring" is explained as follows:
"Most pride parades begin with a contingent of lesbians riding motorcycles, called Dykes on Bikes."
The words "contingent" and "lesbians" would certainly be new vocabulary for most young children who also couldn't appreciate at this age that the term "Dyke" is derogatory. Even the author, Gayle Pitman, who is a professor of psychology, indicates in the note to parents and caregivers that how children process conversations about sexuality "depends on their age and their cognitive maturity level," and provides suggestions for introducing the subject at different age ranges (3-5 years, 6-12 years and 13-18.)
Currently, even the toddler (between the ages of 1 and 4 years) can select the board book, "Love Makes a Family" by Sophie Beer with a scene of two men in bed -- one with a beard and breasts.
Books focused on sexuality and sexual orientation should be appropriately categorized as "parenting" texts and located in a section of the library where they are easily accessed by parents and caregivers but not children.
Kyle C. McKenna
Steubenville