Gay themed childrens books; where do they belong?

[Sweetpea]

Hi all, I don't post much here, but i'm a mega lurker. Anyway, I see that its been really slow so I thought I'd see what everyone's input is on a local hot button issue here. Our local libraries carry gay and lesbian themed childrens books in the childrens section. Loads of people are REALLY against that here, they believe a variety of things...
1. They should be moved because they doesn't jive with the current laws
2. They are obsene and ****ographic
3. They will teach children it is "okay" to be homosexual.


Here's the background..I tried to cut/paste the text, but its not letting me.
Edited because I figured out how to cut/paste from the site.

http://www.newsok.com/article/1497145/

Family addresses 'King and King' fuss

By Britten FollettNEWS 9

The following is a script from a NEWS 9 broadcast
The fight over a children's book lands at the state Capitol, and the Oklahoma House passed a resolution urging libraries to remove it from the children's section

NEWS 9 report

Tonight, Britten Follett talks with the family that started it all.

Here at the library, "King and King," a book about two princes marrying each other, is still sitting on the shelves of the children's section. But it's not sitting there peacefully.

The book's bright colors appealed to the five-year-old girl, and the message inside caught mom's attention.

Mom didn't let her five-year-old read far enough to start asking questions.

This couple is speaking out and hoping other parents won't be forced to answer children's questions before they're ready.

They say the book should be found in a different section because it would be illegal for the princes to get married here in Oklahoma.

Their daughter checked the book out more than two months ago. The family says they never expected their concerns to generate this much controversy.

Next month, the library commission is scheduled to discuss whether the book should be moved to a different section.

________________________________________

Now the libraries are being told thier funding may stop if the books are not relocated...
http://www.newsok.com/article/1498747/
Library funds threatened

By Judy Gibbs RobinsonThe Oklahoman[/COLOR]
Some Oklahoma House members are threatening to kill new funding for the Department of Libraries unless libraries across the state remove homosexual-themed books from children's shelves.
Libraries haven't pulled gay-themed kids' books

"If the libraries do not comply with what the Legislature feels is the prevailing community standard of our towns and cities and entire state, then yes, there is a possibility that they will not receive extra funding," said Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City.

Kern is vice chairman of the subcommittee handling the Department of Libraries appropriation. The subcommittee chairman, Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore, said while no decision has been made on the library appropriation, linking it to the shelving issue "is something we will definitely be considering."

The Department of Libraries received almost $1.6 million in state funds this year. It has requested an additional $841,000 for next year.

The House of Representatives passed a resolution Monday urging library officials to restrict children's access to books with homosexual themes. Linking compliance to the library appropriation puts teeth in the resolution, said Lynn McIntosh, president of the Oklahoma Library Association, an organization of librarians that supports local decision-making for libraries.

"Should we let the Legislature control what's in libraries all across the state? Libraries are a reflection of their communities, and communities vary greatly," McIntosh said.

Kern said community standards are state standards.

"My guess is that 88 percent of Oklahomans and 80 percent or more of the people in Oklahoma County support limiting access to children of homosexual-themed books," Kern said.

The issue arose in March, when Kern asked Oklahoma City's Metropolitan Library Commission to place the book "King and King" and others like it in the adult section.

"King and King" is a children's tale about a prince who chooses another prince as his life partner.

After a hearing May 5, a committee recommended the shelving policy remain the same. The full commission will take up the matter when it meets at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave.

The only other public library in the state with copies of "King and King" is in Tulsa, McIntosh said. Libraries at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa and Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant also have copies, she said.

Although no rural libraries have "King and King," linking funding to shelving policy would hurt those libraries disproportionately because most of the new money requested was earmarked for them, several librarians said.

Donna Morris, executive director of the Metropolitan Library System, said many small libraries across the state depend on state funding to buy new books.

"If money was withheld from small libraries that don't even have the book, that would seem strange," Morris said.

Kern said that is not her intent and her committee will be searching for a way around that.

"We're looking at doing something where those that are not cooperating will not receive additional money. We're not going to do anything to hurt those libraries that are complying," she said.

The Senate appropriations subcommittee handling the library budget request is making no demands in exchange for funding, said Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield, the chairman.

"I don't like putting policy attached to appropriations," Crutchfield, D-Ardmore, said. "I don't think that's part of the appropriations process. That's what we have substantive bills for."


_________________________________________
And the latest article...
http://www.newsok.com/article/1498616/

Libraries haven't pulled gay-themed kids' books

By Chad Previch and Carrie CoppernollThe Oklahoman

Oklahoma's major libraries have not moved a single book from a children's section despite a state resolution urging library officials to restrict children's access to material with homosexual themes.
The controversy over gay-themed children's books began in March when state Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, asked the Metropolitan Library System commission to move such books to the adult section.

House members Monday passed the resolution by an 81-3 vote.

"It's trying to limit the right of what people can read," said Linda Saferite, chief executive officer of the Tulsa City-County Library system. "Serving an entire community is a balancing act."

Although the Tulsa library has not moved any books out of the children's section, employees Thursday started moving gay-themed and other books into a new parenting unit in the children's section.

Besides the gay-themed books, books in the special section will deal with other issues, including the death of family members and bullying.

"A library just reflects what is happening in society," she said.

About 80 people attended a May 5 hearing on the proposal in Oklahoma City during a meeting of the Metropolitan Library System's Public Services Committee. The committee took no action in the shelving policy.

The full Metropolitan Library Commission could take action when it meets at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave.

Executive Director Donna Morris said all 10 copies of the book "King & King" have been checked out since the controversy started.

"This is a local issue," she said, referring to the statewide resolution.

Wayne Hanway, executive director of the Southeastern Public Library System based in McAlester, said he hasn't received any complaints about books in his 15 branches.

"We're down here and other people are up in Oklahoma City," he said. "Sometimes it filters down to us, other times it doesn't."

Because the resolution isn't law, state funding for individual libraries will not be affected, said Bill Young, spokesman for the state Libraries Department.

"These decisions are up to the local library board," he said.

In 10 years at the Ardmore Public Library, Director Daniel Gibbs said no one has ever filled out a protest form about a book there.

Gibbs said he thinks there are "very few, if any," gay-themed books in the children's section, but there are some in the young adult area.

The contents of most public libraries are determined by the needs of their communities, Gibbs said.

"It's a matter of reflecting the values of the community that you're a part of," he said. "Obviously what we have in our library is more conservative than what they might have in some other community."

Wilita Larrison, director of the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County, said she doesn't think any children's books at her library fall into that category.

"We try to select things that are appropriate for our service area," she said. "We don't have any demand" for gay-themed books.

[Sweetpea]

So what is your opionion of this? Do these books belong in the childrens section? Does the state have a right to ban these books from the childrens section? Do you think its fair to withhold funding if the books aren't moved.


Just so ya know where I stand. I think the whole thing is just silly. We actually own the book that started the controversy and I think its a fabulously written book for younger children. NOT saying that everyone should let thier child read it. Just that I don't think it needs to be moved. I believe parents should be aware of what their kids are reading to begin with and if ya don't want them to read it, don't check it out.

[m(or)]

[


I believe parents should be aware of what their kids are reading to begin with and if ya don't want them to read it, don't check it out.

I believe just as you. Monitor their tv, internet usage or just discuss your own beliefs with them.

[AngelaM]

I couldn't open the links without registering.

Personally, as long as the sections/books are appropriately marked so that parents are aware, I don't issue with them being there. While I don't have issues with homosexuals, I know lots who do and I think it is smart to mark books so that parents are aware of what the child is reading just like we put ratings on movies to show what type of content is being viewed.

[m(or)]

I have to laugh at the "not wanting to answer our kids questions until they are ready" concern. I had to answer my dd's questions about homosexuality last fall. Why, because of the vote in our state banning gay marriage. The people who put that measure on the ballot, forced that topic into our home. I voted against the measure.

[BC-Maura]

My favorite line is:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea, quoting news article

They say the book should be found in a different section because it would be illegal for the princes to get married here in Oklahoma.

And just what section would THAT be? True Crime?

++++++++++++++++
Maura

[Deana Barbieri]

Having been born and raised in Oklahoma this doesn't suprise me at all.

Deana

[BC-MAV]

I think it's freedom of speech. As long as it's not obsence and doesn't break any laws the book should be in the public library.

[Duckster]

I agree , I think it is freedom of speech. If parents are properly monitoring what their kids do , then they can control what the children read and dont read.
That is partly what is wrong with America. People blame everyone else for the downfall of the "family" . When in all actuality parents arent parenting these days.

[AngelaM]

I think they should be allowed as long as they are marked appropriately. Parents need to be alerted that the book contains homosexual content. That way parents who do not want their children to read those types of books will know in advance.

I do not think these books teach a child that it is OK to be homosexual. I think parenting is what does this. Honestly, we've all read comments from one side of the political spectrum to the other here and noone's comments have changed my mind on issues one iota. It may help me understand why they think a certain way or feel a certain way, but not change my mind. I feel the same with children. Parents provide the morals to help guide their children in making up their own minds what they think about certain situations. As a catholic, I was raised to believe that homosexuality is immoral. However, as an adult, I don't harbor any negative feelings towards homosexuals and full support them having equal rights and protections under the law. I'm sure my Mom would think otherwise. So, did she fail as a parent? Nope. She provided the fundamentals and from there I made my own choices. At some point, we all have to move out into the "real world" and our own personal experiences combined with those morals taught by our parents will ultimately decide what we become or think....not some book in the library. If I was a product of what I read, then I would be a serial killer (I love suspense novels) and a witch (I like Harry Potter). OK....no wise cracks stating that I am a witch! So, personally, I think these parents need to chill.