Spanish Fort board faces backlash over proposed ban on LGBTQ children's books

The Spanish Fort Library Board meeting on May 5, 2025, sparked a passionate debate over the proposed policy to remove LGBTQ+ themed books from the children's section of the library. Community members voiced strong opposition to the policy, emphasizing the importance of representation and inclusion in literature for all families.

Several speakers, including Sarah Ferguson, highlighted the critical role that diverse books play in fostering understanding and acceptance among children. Ferguson argued that restricting access to LGBTQ+ content not only discriminates against marginalized communities but also raises constitutional concerns. She referenced legal precedents that protect the rights of public libraries to provide a wide range of materials, regardless of community disapproval.

Laura Anderson shared a personal story about her son’s positive experience with LGBTQ+ themed books, illustrating how such literature can promote family understanding without delving into explicit content. She cautioned against the influence of small, vocal groups pushing for censorship, warning that yielding to their demands could lead to broader authoritarian control over community resources.

The speakers collectively stressed that removing or relocating these books sends a harmful message to LGBTQ+ youth, suggesting they do not belong. They called on the board to uphold its stated values of diversity and inclusion, arguing that all families in Spanish Fort deserve to see themselves represented in the stories available to children.

As the meeting concluded, the community's commitment to ensuring that the library remains a welcoming space for all was clear. The board faces a pivotal decision that could shape the library's role in promoting understanding and acceptance within the community.