ACLU joins lawsuit against Huntington Beach's library review policy
The process of reviewing books containing sexual content in Huntington Beach libraries is being legally challenged in a lawsuit filed by several groups, including the ACLU.
Another plaintiff is Orange County's first transgender led nonprofit.
"We are seeking to sue the city of Huntington Beach to be able to get our freedom to read again," co-founder Khloe Rios-Wyatt said. "I think what we're trying to do here is let the city know being able to go into a library for anybody is a right that we have."
Last year, under the direction of the city council, librarians began moving books deemed to be obscene or pornographic. KCAL News found staff sorting through hundreds of books in the health section of the children's and teen room. Some of these books pertaining to the human body, puberty and toilet training were shelved to be relocated to the library's adult section.
The lawsuit accuses city leaders of a censorship scheme that violates California's Freedom to Read Act and the state constitution.
"When it comes down to censorship and taking out books, LGBTQIA communities and specifically trans TGI communities, they are censoring us," Rios-Wyatt said. "They are removing a lot of information that is actually helping our community and especially our youth."
Huntington Beach's Mayor Pat Burns addressed the ACLU in a statement.
"Contrary to what is referenced within the statement, the City has maintained its stance that no books have been banned or removed from the library," he said. "The safety, wellness, and protection of our community, children, and library patrons remains our primary goal."
The city council wants a children's review board to decide which books to purchase for its libraries and which books should be moved to restricted areas. Thousands of residents signed a petition to put this to a vote, and the city will decide when the election will be held on Tuesday.
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