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Axios
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
How a Tampa Bay city is fighting GOP attacks over LGBTQ+ library materials
Facing resistance from local officials and residents, a Republican state lawmaker has ramped up his attacks on a Tampa Bay public library over LGBTQ+ materials. Why it matters: The situation unfolding in Largo, a city of about 80,000 people with an award-winning library, is an example of how GOP-led scrutiny over school curriculum and books has spilled into public libraries. If Largo is part of a broader pattern, state Rep. Berny Jacques told Axios, "maybe we do need a state law … to take this on and mirror this off of what we've done in K-12 education." What they're saying: The Largo Public Library is a point of pride for many residents who showed up at a City Commission meeting this month to voice their support for Mayor Woody Brown, who has pushed back against Jacques. "Everyone is always welcome and safe. I'm always happy when we visit," Lillian Gabuzda, 14, told commissioners. "The library is perfect just the way it is." Brown at the same meeting accused Jacques of "political posturing" and called the situation "unfortunate." Catch up quick: Jacques last month threatened to cut off his support of state funding for Largo and its library over what he called the promotion of "radical gender and sexual ideology to children." The materials Jacques took issue with, according to photos he shared on social media, were a Progress Pride flag, in a room reserved for ages 12 and up, and brochures with lists of picture books and young-adult novels with LGBTQ+ characters or themes. Zoom in: After Brown sent a response denying wrongdoing, Jacques submitted a public records request last month asking for complaints to the library that mentioned certain keywords, including "pride month," "LGBT materials" and "DEI," as well as Jacques' name. He also asked for communications between various city and library leaders that mention those keywords, according to a copy of the request he posted on social media. The latest:"We're coming up with a gameplan on when to release what we've uncovered," Jacques told Axios this week. He declined to elaborate. Yes, but: Jacques did share one example on social media: a July 2023 resident complaint over "If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It," a picture book by drag performer and activist Lil Miss Hot Mess that the complainant said was "sexual" and inappropriate for the children's section. Drag is a centuries-old art form that explores gender fluidity. Some drag shows have risqué elements, but that isn't the norm. The complaint went before the Library Advocacy Board, a panel of residents appointed by city commissioners, who opted to keep the book where it was. "The library collection should be reflective of the community," library director Casey McPhee wrote to the resident. "While this and other titles may not reflect the viewpoint of some parents, we cannot discriminate against others who do have an interest in this material." By the numbers: It's one of five total complaints reviewed by library officials since Jan. 1, 2020, according to documents obtained by Axios via a public records request. All five were regarding books about pride or drag, and library officials opted to retain them. Between the lines: When asked about the number of complaints and the show of support from residents at the recent commission meeting, Jacques said there's a "silent majority" that supports him.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pinellas commissioner reignites focus on LGBTQ+ materials in libraries
Nearly two summers after a Pinellas County commissioner pressured officials at the Palm Harbor Library to remove a Pride Month display from the children's section, the branch is yet again facing scrutiny — and potential budgetary retaliation should they not comply with the board's directives. After recently touring libraries across the county, Commissioner Vince Nowicki found issue with the Palm Harbor branch and drafted a resolution that would ban displays, oral presentations and pamphlets that 'promote sexual identity' in the children's section. The Palm Harbor Community Services Agency held a special meeting Monday night to discuss the issue and proactively address the county's concerns. County commissioners tabled a vote on Nowicki's proposal Tuesday, agreeing to grant the library the opportunity to address the issues on its own, but reiterated they would be monitoring its actions. 'We'll be keeping a gadfly eye on Palm Harbor Library,' Nowicki said. In June 2023, Commissioner Chris Latvala took issue with the library's Pride Month display and the library's then-director, who he said was unfit for the position. The display was ultimately taken down, despite overwhelming support from the community to keep it up. Latvala said he toured the library Monday, and by then all of the LGBTQ+ materials had been relocated from the children's section. Although he acknowledged the library's cooperation with commissioners, he cautioned that Palm Harbor be wary of what goes into the children's section this June during Pride Month. 'We have a budget process coming up this summer, and I will remind those folks that that happens during Pride Month,' Latvala said Tuesday. Palm Harbor Library isn't the only branch receiving budgetary threats. Nowicki also visited Largo Public Library on Saturday and sent photos to state Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Largo, of LGBTQ+ pamphlets and pride flags. Jacques sent a letter to the mayor of Largo stating that he would not support state funding for the library or future appropriations for the city if the items were not taken down and 'fully corrected.' 'I believe, as most of my constituents do, that these types of themes are within the purview of parental guidance, not government-sponsored activism,' Jacques said in an interview. 'I felt the way I can influence it is through the budget process.' Largo Mayor Woody Brown said in an interview the materials were in the teen section and are inaccessible to younger children. On Monday, he said he did not anticipate making changes, and that books exploring these topics can help parents answer questions their children may have. The city owns and operates the library. 'When it comes to having a pride flag in the library, our city makes it a point to make sure that everybody feels welcome,' he said, 'and we're going to continue to do that.' A petition with nearly 900 signatures as of Wednesday has circulated in protest of the resolution and was forwarded to county commissioners. 'Libraries should reflect the diverse needs of all patrons, including marginalized communities,' wrote Jessica Terrence in an email to Commissioner Brian Scott. 'My children deserve access to books that help them understand the world, and as a parent, I — not government officials — should decide what they read.' Nowicki's proposal also included 'accountability measures' for staff who violate the policy and required the library submit a new Strategic Plan that removes any language, content, policies or principles related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Palm Harbor Library Director Matthew David attended Tuesday's meeting and said the branch will remove stickers from books that identify them as LGBTQ+, which was a point of concern for Nowicki. David said these were put in place to help patrons identify the book's genre — helping parents find or avoid them. Of the library's books, less than 1% contain LGBTQ+ topics, David said. Mentions of diversity, equity and inclusion were also removed from the Strategic Plan. 'The world is complex and one of the great joys is having an institution that has to deal with those complexities,' David said. In a county work session March 20, Commissioner Dave Eggers agreed that LGBTQ+ materials should not be in the children's section. But, he cautioned against removing them from teen sections, because they can be a resource for young people facing mental health challenges. Eggers also attended the advisory meeting Monday and said dialogue with the library leadership was a 'night and day difference' compared to two years ago and encouraged the commissioners to let them handle the situation on their own. 'When the numbers really come out, there's more people complaining about us doing anything versus doing nothing,' Eggers said. Although the commissioners did not adopt the resolution, they were clear that it can be brought back should concerns arise. 'If the board decides to let the library go its own course, if I see something I don't like it will be back here again,' Nowicki said.
Axios
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
GOP officials target LGBTQ+ displays in Largo, Palm Harbor library
Two Republican elected officials are pressing local libraries to remove LGBTQ+ displays from their youth areas. Why it matters: The libraries in Palm Harbor and Largo are the latest institutions to face GOP pushback over their attempts to support LGBTQ+ children and teenagers. State of play: Pinellas Commissioner Vince Nowicki has drafted a resolution that would ban materials that depict, refer to or promote sexual identity in the Palm Harbor Library's children's room. That includes but isn't limited to posters, artwork, pamphlets and brochures as well as oral presentations and storytelling events, per a draft resolution he shared with Axios. It's the second time in two years that a Palm Harbor Library display supporting the LGBTQ+ community has drawn ire from GOP county commissioners. Meanwhile, state Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, threatened to withhold state funding from the city of Largo if officials didn't remove similar materials at the Largo Public Library, according to a letter he sent to Mayor Woody Brown and shared on social media. "Parents have the sole right and responsibility to educate their children on these sensitive topics," Jacques wrote. Zoom in: The materials at the Palm Harbor Library that Nowicki objected to include a display of children's book authors who are part of the LGBTQ+ community, a Lego "Everyone Is Awesome" set and a brochure with lists of LGBTQ+ books by category, plus a QR code that links to local and national resources, according to photos he shared with Axios. Nowicki emphasized his resolution wouldn't ban any books. It also wouldn't prohibit LGBTQ+ materials in a separate library space dedicated to teenagers, he said. The children's room serves patrons up to age 12 and their parents. "My resolution would simply prohibit the promotion of sexual identity via displays and pamphlets in the children's section," he said, adding that parents should decide when to bring up that topic. Nowicki saw the materials while on a recent tour of the library, at the invitation of library leadership. The other side: Staff have since removed the items "in an abundance of caution," library director Matthew David said Monday. Prior to Nowicki raising the issue, staff hadn't received complaints about the materials, which had been on display for less than a year, David said. In fact, he said the library compiled the brochure that listed LGBTQ+ books because multiple patrons requested such a resource. "It's all in response to what the public is asking for," David said. An Axios reporter's walk through the Largo Public Library's children's wing on Monday included just one item that Jacques shared on X as evidence for his letter: a brochure titled "LGBTQIA+ Picture Books." The Progress Pride flag Jacques shared a photo of was in the library's teen room, which is designated for ages 13 and up. (Jacques didn't return a call and text from an Axios reporter asking for more information.) Mayor Woody Brown told Axios that teens who frequented the library put up the flag themselves. What they're saying: Materials dealing with sexual identity shouldn't be accessible to kids without their parents, Brown said, "but that's just not the case in our library."
