Reader comments
Gay books in libraries

If you can't see them, they don't exist.

For what purpose do they exist? If it is something you can't 'help', there is no need for them. But if you are trying to promote and recruit then we all understand why they are there.

Well if you can protest "Gay books" being on display because they offend you then I would like to enter my protest on LDS books in every supermarket all the time and Christmas books in libraries in December because both LDS and Christmas offend my sensibilities (atheist).

Sorry, I'll retract my protest because I realize that all those books contain knowledge on a group of people. In order to better understand each other we must embrace each others believes even if we do not hold them ourselves.

I thought books were asexual.

If only....

When I was a young person, I was desperately trying to understand what was going on with me. I knew, certainly by the time I was 10, but probably earlier, that I was "different."

I spent many hours at the public library in a sometimes desperate search to understand.

It was the 1960s, and people spoke of "inverts" and "the third sex" --in hushed tones, if at all.

And the public library spoke of it not at all.

I needed to understand. And no one was there to help.

If only there had been books --even a single book-- that told the truth: that, for reasons not quite understood, some people realize they are "different" in terms of their sexual orientation.

And that it is perfectly possible to live a good, full, healthy life as a gay person.

Something it took me decades to figure out on my own. Now I know. But back them...

If only.

"...displaying them pretends these are legitimate ways of living."

I have several friends and coworkers who'd take strenuous issue with your assertion that they don't lead "legitimate" lives.

What's interesting to me, however, is the idea that you feel entitled to make such sweeping judgements about other people, about whom you know absolutely nothing.

Where'd that come from?

You said it: the has many themes like pioneer day or christmas or fourth of july...this is just another theme. Besides, how many kids go to the library anymore, anyway?

Being Gay *IS* a legitimate way of living... you are not "better" then them, so get over it.

You're not a prude, just rude.

Gay life style is perversion. Call it what it really is. If the library can ban books like Tom Sawyer they certainly should ban books that promote homosexual life style.

Since when was there a month set aside for gay day? I wasn't aware this was a holiday.

I have a list I want to ban too.

Is running rampant every where we go, that's what the Rainbow Coalition wanted!!!

What if my children see these books, and instantly turn gay?

If we're going down this road, could we also make sure that all books by Limbaugh, Hannity, and their ilk, are not seen by children either? I don't want to give the impression that such a lifestyle is appropriate, or sanctioned by our public libraries?

It IS a legitimate way to live your life. Selflessly sharing your life with someone you love deeply is a beautiful and LEGITIMATE life choice.

And you ARE being a prude. If you are afraid that a children's book will have more sway with your children than your own teaching then that speaks more about your failure as a parent than the legitimacy of gay books.

If you don't want your kids reading the books then be a parent. Restrict them in your own house but quit telling everyone else what they should read.

Your "legitmate way of living" comment is interesting. Isn't anyone who is alive included in "a legitimate way of living" Please define further so I can understand what you mean.

I suppose the library has books on other deviant lifestyles, so why not gays?

I think a book about gays is appropriate. Everyone needs to understand what goofs there are in our society.

How do you understand whats happening to you physically out of books? What about a parent or a doctor, unless one was so different that they couldn't understand either. I think we need more books to understand what we don't understand.