A few weeks ago I reported on the first challenge to Uncle Bobby’s Wedding
Today, library director James LaRue, who wrote a sensitive, balanced response to the initial challenge, reports that a second patron has challenged the book and asked for its removal from the Douglas County Libraries in Colorado. The new patron argued that “the topic of a gay wedding is inappropriate because same sex marriage is illegal in 48 states, and specifically, in Colorado.” She also said “she knows at least 100 people ready to fill out a petition against the book.”
LaRue wrote back to point out that the setting of Uncle Bobby’s Wedding is unknown, so we don’t know if it occurs in a place where marriage of same-sex couples is illegal. He also stressed that it would be impossible for librarians to be familiar with all Colorado laws and to review each potential library acquisition to determine if any of the characters violate those laws. He explains:
Thousands and thousands of our books feature true or fictional tales of murder, robbery, kidnapping — all of which violate Colorado laws. . . . The story of Robin Hood, in which a thief and robber is regarded as a hero, would also be forbidden. I concluded that the principle, in general, would be impossible for libraries to apply.
LaRue then offered to meet with the woman and the 100 people who agree with her. He notes that while she views this as a matter of a library advocating for a perspective she opposes, he says “it’s about the role of the public library as common and neutral ground, as a steward of public funds to represent all of the public. It’s a fair topic, and certainly deserving of community discussion.”
He also said the woman could appeal his decision to the library Board, or submit the petition and let him respond to it. He views this as an organized effort, but says, “I don’t know yet where it goes from here.”
Trying to ban books because the fictional characters do something that violates state law? I’d like to think any court would see this for the absurdity that it is. I’m realistic enough, though, to bet that this is going to be a nasty fight. I’ll keep you posted as the story develops.
If you apply her logic, then the Bible would have to be removed from the shelves as well.
Religious doctrinal books, including the Bible, should be placed in the fiction section of libraries, if not outright removed. In a court hearing, we can only hope that a fair and impartial judge would render a lawsuit such as this moot. Unfortunately, we are threatened with religious and politically-appointed conservative Republican judges who might actually side with the plaintiffs in a potential case as outlined here. Very scary stuff, and John McCain pledges to appoint more of them to the federal judiciary.
Presumably the patron would have been OK with a sweet little book about a male guinea pig marrying a female guinea pig, even though all guinea pig marriages are illegal in Colorado.
And how they oh-so conveniently forget that “not legal” does not equal “illegal.”
And I guess this means no more crime novels. Or novels where any of the characters use illegal drugs, or where underage characters drink alcohol.
Because you know, if kids can’t read about it in the library, they’ll never try any of these things that their parents consider wrong.
Ditto what everyone else is saying. I was going to say, O Heaven help us. But I suppose I should say O First Amendment help us. If it can be espied through the thick fog.
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Thanks for this story, Dana. The effort to silence us, make us invisible and push us back into the closet has hundreds of thousands of militants engaged across the country. It is all about intimidation, deceit and thuggery. Reasoned dialogue and the rule of Law are considered “collateral damage.”
My first thought was that I suspect that the state of Colorado doesn’t perform marriages between guinea pigs of any sort, gay straight or otherwise, but it seems I’m not not the first to think of that.
Oh, and by the way, the libraries shouldn’t be providing newspapers and magazines (or access to the same online) because they often cover things that are illegal in Colorado.
On a more positive note, my neighbors (two guys) are getting married next month — I am very excited for them and very happy that they are able to do so. (And just a wee bit proud of my town and our mayor, if that’s okay.)
“we don’t know where “Uncle Bobby’s Wedding” takes place… It could be in a wholly fictitious universe with its own laws.”
Yeah, like one where guinea pigs talk and wear clothes and get married? Ya think?
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