UPDATED August 13, 2018
Equality Utah Organizes Forum Following County Libraries Banning ‘Controversial’ LGBTQ-Themed Displays (via St. George News)
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From The Spectrum (St.George, Utah):
Library workers in Southern Utah were told last June to remove Pride Month-themed displays featuring LGBTQ books and materials because a county official believed they were too controversial. This year, they were asked to stop wearing buttons that said, “Ask me about LGBTQ reads.”
Both the displays and the buttons at the Hurricane library drew complaints from upset patrons, according to Joel Tucker, the Washington County director in charge of eight library branches.
However, the employees who placed the displays and wore the buttons said they never received any complaints. They said their county higher-ups are being discriminatory and point to similar library displays built around news topics, popular culture and holidays. They have included Saint Patrick’s Day, polygamy and Black History Month. Pioneer-themed displays were up this week for the state’s July 24 holiday.