Controversy over sexuality issues at the Okefenokee Regional Library System and Pierce County Library came to the county commission last Tuesday night.
Crystal Winn addressed commissioners about LGBTQ sexuality displays and bathroom usage policies at the Pierce County Library and about how related requests for policies to address those issues have been unsuccessful.
Winn describes her family as “decades-long supporters of the Pierce County Library.”
She said about eight months ago, she began noticing sexuality themed books and a Pride flag on open display at the local library.
“I was very alarmed that this material was out in the open where children could see it,” she said.
Winn stressed that everyone should be welcome at the library, but she said she did not feel such material was appropriate for display in the open.
“I don’t think the library is the place for us to have open discussions of who we like to have sex with,” she said.
She noted federal law says it is a felony to share obscene material with minors.
Winn read excerpts from books on display in the open at the local library geared toward children from first through seventh grade exploring themes such as same sex attraction, even spelling out kissing and being naked together.
She also said a review of library programs and policies included the fact an LGBTQ reading club is meeting at the Waycross-Ware County Library and policies indicated patrons could be sued for sexual harassment for not addressing staff by the personal pronouns they prefer, regardless of their biological gender.
Winn said she and other concerned parents had asked the Pierce County Library Board and the Okefenokee Regional Library Board for a policy restricting the display of sexually explicit material and for a policy requiring patrons to use the appropriate bathroom of their biological sex.
Neither board has voted on the proposed policies. Discussion at previous meetings has suggested the library might face litigation over approving and enforcing the policies.
Current Regional Director Martha Powers-Jones resigned last week as a result of the controversy.
Resident Shawn King echoed Winn’s concerns and told commissioners they were accountable since the commission appointed the library board members and were the largest funding source for the library.
The county provides $77,000 of the Pierce County Library’s $155,984.21 annual budget. The Board of Education provides $15,000 and the City of Blackshear contributes $12,514.49. State funding accounts for the additional $51,000.
“We are bringing this trouble on ourselves and there is no sense in it,” he said.
King went on to point out God — and not the LGBTQ Pride movement — invented the rainbow.
“It’s His promise He won’t destroy the earth again by flood.”
Resident Kim Strickland took the accountability angle a little further in addressing the board.
Stating she is a Christian and that the overwhelming majority of Pierce County is Christian, she asked commissioners to stand up for morals.
“In the Scriptures, all those who go against God are annihilated,” she said. “Anyone who would harm a child in this way is evil.”
Strickland gave a warning from the Scriptures before leaving the podium, quoting Matthew 18:6 “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”
One of the speaker’s suggested current library board members be replaced with new, more conservative members, the county cut off funding or the library be closed.
All three speakers’ remarks were met with “amens” of approval.
Pierce County Library Manager Lavonnia Moore spoke to commissioners, but did not address the comments made by Winn, King or Strickland.
Moore, instead, focused on the services and programs sponsored by the Pierce County Library. She shared stats with commissioners showing the library’s growth in numbers of patrons, visitors and participants in programs.
She pointed out the library’s work in offering computer services, language tutoring, cooperative programs with the 4-H and County Extension offices and a recent project to provide prom dresses to area teens.
Commissioners took no action on the issues with the library.
