Stop the banning of books on sexual orientation, gender identity, race and racism
Harrison County Library Systems Board of Trustees
On Monday, July 23, 2022, the Harrison County Library Systems Board of Trustees will meet to discuss banning books on sexual orientation and gender identity following the comments of two residents of Biloxi, one of whom is the Pastor of the Covenant of Peace Church, at the July 19, 2022 City Council meeting.
Their efforts to challenge and ban books at public libraries is part of a wave of challenges and book bans that is happening across the nation in schools and public libraries and coincides with conservative state legislators attempts to censor language, books, and school curriculum on sexual orientation, gender identity, and race, and racism.
Now is the time for action. We must stop this in our own community. We must work together to ensure that the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a safe and inclusive space for all.
Petition by
To:
Harrison County Library Systems Board of Trustees
From:
[Your Name]
Dear Harrison County Library System Board of Trustees,
We believe that Libraries are public spaces that should include Everyone. And that “Everyone” should include our most marginalized communities. We appreciate that the Harrison Co. Library System has been a welcoming space for members of the LGBTQ community, their families, and allies. We appreciate the resources you have offered to our community.
We have concerns about the recent attempts during the Biloxi City Council meeting, to ban books from the Harrison Co Library System, particularly books by authors or featuring people in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Recently people with a particular viewpoint have attempted to determine what others can read by regulating what books appear in our public libraries. There is a complete disregard for the rights of other citizens who do not conform to the viewpoint of these individuals requesting the ban. The American Library Association has issued a strong statement reiterating the primary reasons for rejecting these censorship campaigns. See https://www.ala.org/advocacy/statement-regarding-censorship
It might be appropriate to move certain material from the young adult section to the adult section. It is rarely appropriate to remove any material from the public library system completely.
We urge the Harrison County Library System Board of Trustees to closely examine these censorship attempts and follow the American Library Association guidelines.
Thank You,
Gulf Coast Equality
Mississippi Rising Coalition
The Friends of the Arts, Culture, Education