At a time when many libraries are sponsoring drag queen story hours, actor Kirk Cameron is having difficulty getting equal time for his faith-based children’s book, “As You Grow.” More than 50 public libraries have either outright rejected him or not responded to requests on his behalf.
Brave Books, Cameron’s publisher, shared details of the story-hour requests — and the rejections received to date — with Fox News. The Rochambeau Public Library in Providence, R.I., for instance, told Cameron and his publisher by phone, “No, we will pass on having you run a program in our space. We are a very queer-friendly library. Our messaging does not align.”.
When the publisher asked the library official about filling out the proper form to apply for a story-hour slot, the individual replied, “You can fill out the form to reserve space, to run the program in our space — but we won’t run your program.”
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On its website, Rochambeau Public Library promotes a regular offering for young people called Queer Umbrella,” which is “club and safe space where teens can learn, discuss and connect over queer history, art, community resources and more.” It is “open to all members of the LGBTQ+ community who are 12+,” the library’s website listing also notes.
Brave Books, also contacted the City Heights/Weingart Branch Library in San Diego, hoping to be able to schedule Cameron for a story-hour program. But the library representative told Cameron’s publisher, “I don’t think that’s something that we would do.”
Yet the same San Diego Library system actively hosts a number of “LGBTQIA events” that go beyond Pride Month, it notes on its website. The library system collaborates with other organizations to provide resources. It also hosts a teen queer book club, its website says.
“This is proof that more than ever, we are getting destroyed in the battle for the hearts and minds of our children,” Cameron said. “Publicly funded libraries are greenlighting gender marker and name change clinics while denying a story time that would involve the reading of a book that teaches biblical wisdom. How much clearer can it get? We have to start fighting back, or we will lose our kids and this country.”
–Alan Goforth | MV