Community backs library on LGBTQ display

SAN DIEGO — In an ever-divided nation, some Americans are turning their library cards into protest weapons. Right-wing activists have challenged the recognition of June as Pride Month and have sought to remove textbooks from schools and LGBTQ-affirming picture books from libraries.

Adrianne Peterson, the manager of the Rancho Peñasquitos branch of the San Diego Public Library, was embarrassed by the modest size of her Pride Month display in June.

Yet the kiosk across from the checkout counter, marked by a Progress Pride rainbow flag, was enough to thrust the library onto the front lines of the nation’s culture wars.

Peterson, who has run the branch since 2012 and highlighted books for Pride Month for the better part of a decade, was taken aback when she read an email last month from two neighborhood residents. They informed her they had checked out nearly all of the books in the Pride display and would not return them unless the library permanently removed what they considered “inappropriate content.”

“I began to wonder, ‘Oh, have I been misunderstanding our community?’” Peterson said.

Soon, she would get her answer: Stacks of Amazon boxes containing new copies of the books the protesters checked out started to arrive at the library. Roughly 180 people gave more than $15,000 to the library system, which after a city match will provide more than $30,000 toward more LGBTQ-themed materials and programming.

In Republican-led states, those in office have used their power to change policy and ban materials contested by conservatives. Conservative groups nationwide have pushed to ban books that discuss LGBTQ issues from libraries and schools, saying parents should control what their children are being taught.

The San Diego residents who sent the email to the Rancho Peñasquitos Library, Amy Vance and Martha Martin, did not respond to requests for comment. City officials said they have not heard since from the library patrons.

The text of their email was identical to a template posted online by a right-wing group called CatholicVote, which is not affiliated with the Catholic Church. The group has promoted a “Hide the Pride” campaign that encourages supporters to check out or move books that depict LGBTQ characters and families. Organizers have described such material as pornographic and obscene.

At the Rancho Peñasquitos Library, the Pride display has since been replenished. As for the books checked out last month? They were recently returned.