Missouri officials criticize Columbia library’s LGBTQ-themed ‘story time’ event
Hanaway said the 45-minute program should follow Missouri law and warned she could take action if the library’s books or activities violate state statutes.
- On Friday, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins threatened to block all state and federal funding for the Daniel Boone Regional Library if its planned 'Rainbow Story Time' event proceeds Saturday.
- Separately, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway wrote to the library citing state statutes on pornography, requesting the event be 'conducted in a manner consistent with Missouri law.'
- Library spokesperson Mitzi St. John stated the books 'Rainbowsaurus' and 'Big Wig' contain no sexual content, while DBRLWU President Patrick Johnston defended the program as serving the 'diverse community.'
- Attorney Charles Hatfield, a former chief of staff for the AG, noted Missouri's pornography laws are 'purposefully narrow' and constitute 'First Amendment expression,' not criminal conduct.
- Local resident Rachel Wolpertl supported the library's inclusive approach, stating parents retain the ability to choose what they expose their children to without banning community resources.
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8 Articles
“Sexual grooming!” Republican officials threaten library over book about rainbow dinosaur
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway (R) sent a legal threat to a local library for hosting a “Rainbow Story Time” event this past Saturday, suggesting that pornography would be shown at the event even though there was no reason to believe that it would be. The Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia announced the event on its website, saying that it’s “a queer-led story time with an LGBTQ+ theme.” Activities planned for the event inclu…
Missouri AG Threatens Library's LGBTQ Story Time
Columbia’s ABC affiliate reports: Missouri’s attorney general wrote to a local library board saying that “residents” have requested her office make sure that an LGBTQ+-themed story time is “conducted in a manner consistent with Missouri law.” A library spokeswoman told ABC 17 News that the event is family friendly. The letter was dated Thursday and released publicly by Attorney General Catherine Hanaway on social media platforms. Hanaway, in her…
Missouri officials criticize Columbia library's LGBTQ-themed 'story time' event
A LGBTQ-themed "story time" event planned by the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia has drawn criticism from two Missouri government officials who question whether the event is legal and appropriate for children.
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