By: Sammy Wang
Around June 2023, Adrianne Peterson, manager of the Rancho Peñasquitos branch of the San Diego Public Library, received an email from two local citizens concerning the Pride Month display in the library.
In the email, they claimed that the display “had no place in an open and public space for children.”
The two residents also said they checked out nearly all the books on the display and would not return them unless the library removed all LGBTQ+ books.
When she read the email, Peterson was surprised and wondered if she had misunderstood her community and what they wanted.
The community responded immediately after The San Diego Union-Tribune made the protest public for all eyes. The library received stacks of copies of the books that the two residents checked out. Nearly 180 people, mostly San Diegans, donated more than $15,000 to the library to show their encouragement and support for LGBTQ+.
A city match will also provide over $30,000 for LGBTQ+ programs and materials.
Despite people supporting the LGBTQ+ community, there are still many others that debate against it.
Activists have tried to remove books showcasing LGBTQ+ pictures and stories in the image of protecting kids from dangerous content.
In Temecula, California, most of the school board rejected the Social Studies Alive! Textbook because it included Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist. They only agreed to use the book when Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to fine the district $1.5 million for not following state standards.
The governor and California Attorney General Rob Bonta questioned why the school board would refuse a book to help strengthen students’ minds.
“Restricting what our children are taught in school based on animus or ideological opposition contradicts our societal values,” Bonta said. “The board needs to explain its decision-making, and moving forward will need to ensure students have access to a wide range of ideas and perspectives.”
Though people still oppose LGBTQ+, changes are being made, especially with increased diversity everywhere. For example, in 2020, Todd Gloria was elected as San Diego’s first gay mayor.
There are also actions, such as the donation that the San Diego community gave to the library, that show how Americans are taking a stance for what they believe is right.
After the two residents checked out numerous books, the library sent a polite letter stating that they would be billed for it if they didn’t return the books in two months
The two residents returned the books.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/22/us/pride-books-library-protest.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur