Alabama’s state library agency is pushing a rule change that would prevent children from accessing books that “positively” depict transgender procedures or what the agency calls “gender ideology.” The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) is set to hold a public comment hearing on the proposed rule change on Tuesday.
Current law in the state requires that libraries remove books containing sexually explicit and inappropriate content from children’s sections. The proposed rule change would expand this law to state that “any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders” is inappropriate for minors.
Critics of the proposed change have called it censorship. Read Freely Alabama, in a letter, described the proposal as an example of “extreme government overreach” and argued that it violates the constitutional rights of Alabama residents.
However, supporters of the change maintain that they are protecting children and complying with state law, as well as following President Trump’s executive order declaring that there are only two genders.
Amy Minton, an APLS board member who proposed the change, told AL.com that libraries already engage in “censorship” simply by choosing which books to include in their collections from the millions published.
“Selective censorship already occurs daily as librarians choose every day which books they will purchase,” Ms. Minton said.
A group advocating for keeping LGBTQ-themed books out of children’s hands, Clean Up Alabama, insists the rule is “not censorship” but instead about “responsibility” and the “protection of minors.”
Hannah Rees, executive director of Clean Up Alabama, stated, “We are grateful that APLS continues to lead with courage.”
“Their commitment to Alabama families, to child safety, and to constitutional integrity is not only refreshing, it’s essential,” she added.
https://www.nysun.com/article/alabama-agency-pushes-remove-books-positively-depict-transgender-topics-childrens-sections
