Libraries Need to Prepare for Anti-LGBTQ “Hide the Pride” Groups

Last yr, I wrote about the conservative group CatholicVote organizing what they referred to as “Hide the Pride,” which inspires folks to take a look at all kids’s and teenage LGBTQ books in the library, particularly on Pride shows, so as to make sure that nobody else can entry them. They’ve now introduced the second annual “Hide the Pride” marketing campaign. CatholicVote Communications Director Joshua Mercer defined,

“The public backlash against Bud Light and Target has reminded Christians that they don’t have to sit down and surrender to the radical rainbow cult. Let’s keep up this momentum and prevent kids from being exposed to smut from their local public library by checking out these nasty books and getting them off of displays.”

While the official marketing campaign includes testing particularly kids’s and teenage books and leaving a letter with signatures, that isn’t the solely type “Hide the Pride” makes an attempt take. Many libraries (and bookstores!) report books being taken off shows and hidden with out being checked out, and grownup LGBTQ books, particularly these on show, are sometimes additionally focused.

Libraries throughout the U.S. want to be prepared for this. Even in case your space is usually queer-friendly, it simply takes one individual to clear the whole Pride show. So what can libraries and supportive library patrons do to struggle these threats to patrons’ freedom to learn?

Also, don’t be afraid to test these books out! That’s what they’re there for! Books being checked out reveals that the show is worth it. There’s a distinction between testing books you’re occupied with versus checking each e-book out solely to forestall others from having the ability to have entry to them.

The largest factor you are able to do to help your library is present up to library board conferences and communicate out in help of Pride shows and carrying LGBTQ books. The folks opposing these books will not be in the majority, however they’re loud. We want to present up to present they don’t communicate for us. Not positive what to say? Here’s a template you should utilize.

Of course, most libraries may have sufficient LGBTQ books to change the ones checked out from the show, even when they’re all checked out without delay. (And if not, possibly you must begin there.) That will not be sustainable, although, if it’s accomplished a number of instances over, and it’s made tougher if patrons are additionally taking books from the normal assortment.

Consider incorporating extra everlasting points of your show. Put up posters or indicators with the LGBTQ audiobooks and ebooks obtainable in your assortment, with QR codes to test them out. You can even place books in entrance of an indication with the cowl of that e-book, together with a QR code to place a maintain on it. That approach, it’s nonetheless on show even when checked out.

You can even embrace pamphlets with an inventory of a few of the LGBTQ books obtainable in the assortment. You might want to think about solely placing out a couple of at a time, so nobody can take the entire batch without delay.

Another choice is to have some interactive a part of the show, like a kids’s show that asks, “What are you proud of?” with sticky notes to add their very own to a rainbow. These can present that the shows are getting used and appreciated.

These are just some concepts: your technique will rely in your assortment and group. For much more, take a look at Kelly Jensen’s submit on How to Prepare Library Pride Displays with censorship makes an attempt in thoughts.

Queer and trans folks throughout the U.S. — and the world — are going through elevated discrimination lately, together with life-threatening laws. For LGBTQ youth, having only one supportive grownup of their life makes them 40% much less probably to try suicide.

I do know it’s troublesome to face hostile patrons, however your help issues. Having entry to queer books could be life-changing, even life-saving for queer children and adults. Libraries don’t simply serve white, straight, cis, allo, conservative patrons. They serve the entire group, and everybody deserves to really feel protected and welcome. I’m grateful for the library staff who arise to bigotry so as to symbolize their whole group.