Long Island library board restores gay pride display in children’s section – Colorado Springs Gazette
The board of a library on Long Island reversed a previous decision to ban LGBT Pride displays and books in its children’s section in a Thursday night vote.
The library’s board in New York initially decided to remove the displays in a 4-2 vote on Tuesday that would have confined the displays to the Smithtown Library’s sections for teenagers and adults. However, the vote was reversed during an emergency session of the board after the library faced heavy backlash from the neighborhood and political leaders in the state.
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“The majority of the board recognizes that our earlier decision was made without the time, care and due diligence that a decision of this type deserves and that it was the wrong decision,” the board said in a statement. “Moving forward, we will commit our collective energies toward ensuring that we get the advice and guidance needed from our library administrators, staff, outside experts, legal counsel, and, most importantly, from Smithtown residents before we make important decisions regarding our library.”
Marie Gergenti, a library trustee in New York, said during Thursday’s meeting that parents expressed concern about the pride display’s material, which was why she voted twice to remove it, according to CNN.
“They (patrons) felt that little children were exposed to some images in some of these books and they weren’t happy about it,” she said. “The original recommendation was to remove sensitive material from the children’s section only based upon complaints by parents in the community.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul condemned the initial ruling, reminding the LGBT youth that she stood with them.
“For many LGBTQ+ kids, libraries are one of the few spaces where they can be welcomed and affirmed for who they are,” Hochul tweeted Wednesday. “Our public spaces should be accepting our young people — not rejecting them. To LGBTQ+ New Yorkers: We stand with you, we support you, & you are welcome here.”
Hochul also ordered an investigation of the library by the New York State Division of Human Rights for discrimination against the LGBT community on Thursday.
“Public places are prohibited by law from engaging in discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity,” Hochul said. “We will not tolerate a ‘Don’t Say Gay’ philosophy taking root in our state.”
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It is not clear whether Hochul’s investigation will continue now that the board reversed its ruling.
Public libraries across the nation are debating how to use and display pride books in the children’s sections of libraries and certain classrooms to highlight Pride Month.
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