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Residents and library supporters press Augusta County supervisors over canceled LGBTQ library event
Summary
Speakers at Augusta County’s board meeting urged review of the county’s decision to cancel a library event for the LGBTQ community, calling for transparency and inclusion; the meeting record shows no reversal or detailed explanation for the cancellation.
Alex Edwards, an 11‑year‑old Augusta County resident, told the Board of Supervisors that canceling an LGBTQ library event removed an important resource and urged the board to treat all community members with fairness and respect. “We can’t choose who to be nice to,” Alex said during public comment.
Jovanna Edwards, a county resident and public school teacher of 28 years, said she was disappointed by the board’s decision and disputed safety as a reason for the cancellation. She described attending alternative events without incident and asked the supervisors to reconsider canceling future LGBTQ programming.
Jennifer Lewis told the board she felt the community had not been given the truth about why the pride event was canceled and called the action “blatant discrimination.” Lewis asked whether the board had consulted library staff and asked the supervisors for an apology and clarity for the LGBTQ community.
The board did not provide a detailed explanation or record a reversal of the cancellation in the portion of the meeting recorded in the transcript. County staff acknowledged the public comments and moved on to other agenda items. The matter was raised publicly during the meeting’s comment period; the record supplied here does not show subsequent staff follow-up or a formal direction to reopen or review the decision.
