Library Maintains LGBTQ-Themed Kids Event Was Lawful as State Official Threatens Funding
Hoskins said he will seek laws to block public funding for similar events and opened an investigation after the library read two books to children.
- The Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia hosted the Rainbow Story Time on Saturday, proceeding as planned despite warnings from state officials threatening funding cuts over the LGBTQ+-themed event.
- Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and other officials threatened to withhold state and federal funding, alleging the books "Rainbowsaurus" and "Big Wig" contained sexually explicit material targeting toddlers.
- Library Executive Director Robin Westphal defended the program as age-appropriate, noting the books were carefully selected for roughly 150 attendees who participated despite the controversy.
- During a press conference Tuesday, State Sen. Rick Brattin and Secretary of State Denny Hoskins announced plans to pursue legislation blocking taxpayer funding for similar library events.
- State Rep. Wick Thomas, a Kansas City Democrat, countered Tuesday by reading both books aloud at the State Capitol, saying "I think there is no question that this will cause harm to the gay and trans youth in Missouri, and it horrifies me.
18 Articles
18 Articles
Missouri Library Defiantly Holds LGBTQ Story Hour Despite Funding and Legal State Threats
Missouri Rep. Whick Thomas, a Democrat, held a press conference about the state’s attacks on a Rainbow Story Time event at a local library. Image courtesy of Missouri House of Communications.Erin In The Morning is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a subscriber.A Missouri library refused to back down from hosting an LGBTQ children’s book event, even as the state threatened to cut its fundi…
GOP Vows To Defund Library Over Rainbow Story Time
Columbia’s NBC affiliate reports: Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins said he will push for state laws to block public funding for events like this weekend’s Rainbow Story Time at the Columbia Public Library, an LGBTQ+ themed reading event for preschoolers, toddlers and families that has drawn the ire of several conservative state officials. Hoskins said his office is investigating the event, which was held on Saturday and featured the rea…
Missouri Republicans threaten to cut library funding over ‘rainbow story time’ event
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins says he intends to block state and federal funds from reaching Daniel Boone Regional Library after its Columbia branch read LGBTQ+ picture books aloud. One state lawmaker said the event was wholesome and called the threats "government censorship."
Webster County Citizen
Missouri Republicans threaten library funding over ‘rainbow story time’
Missouri Republican officials threatened Tuesday to cut state funding for Columbia’s public library after staff held a reading of LGBTQ+ children’s books last week. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins and state Sen. Rick Brattin, a Harrisonville Republican running for Congress…
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