The presence of two LGBT books in the children’s section of the Hood County Library alarms members of the community near Dallas. One of the books invites readers to attend a gay pride celebration. The other describes a young boy who likes pink, wears dresses, and dons a princess tiara.
The residents circulate “challenge forms” boasting more than 50 signatures, according to WFAA8, Dallas-Fort Worth.
The Hood County library lies in Granbury, Texas, 35 miles southwest of Fort Worth.
The two books causing the uproar are My Princess Boy and This Day in June.
This Day in June features brightly colored illustrations, one of a mother holding a book entitled, “I [photo of heart] My Gay Sons.” Two young men surround her. Others hold a rainbow flag while watching a gay pride parade. Websites selling the book say that it aims to invite children to attend a gay-pride parade and to give respect to homosexuals. One of the illustrations includes the caption: “Clad in Leather/Perfect Weather.”
This YouTube video portrays the illustrations and theme of the book:
Amazon Books writes that This Day in June won a 2015 Notable Books for Global Society Award, stating:
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.
The director of the library, Courtney Kincaid, told WFAA8, “We are here to serve the entire community.” She continued that the library was there to serve “not just certain religious groups or political groups.” She said, “Lesbians and gays are in this community, and they deserve to have some items in this collection as well.”
Rose Myers, a Granbury city council member, said a constituent approached her and raised questions about the books placed in the children’s section of the library. The constituent’s little girl asked her mother about one of the books.
Council member Myers released a statement that included the question: “Can a four-year-old understand the content of this book without the help of an adult?”
According to WFAA8’s report, the challenges were presented to the Hood County Library Advisory Board, and the board voted to retain the books in the library.
Hood County Commissioners look to address the issue at a July commissioner’s court meeting.
Hood County clerk, Katie Lang, has been in the news recently for refusing to personally issue gay-marriage licenses. The county clerk refrains from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples but deputy clerks in her office do. Lang told media outlets on the day of the release of the U.S. Supreme Court same-sex marriage opinion that she would not be issuing marriage licenses.
Lana Shadwick is a contributing writer and legal analyst for Breitbart Texas. Follow her on Twitter@LanaShadwick2
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