In a disconcerting development for the LGBTQ+ community in Kansas, the St. Marys public library has taken a troubling step by removing all youth-oriented LGBTQ+ books from its shelves in an effort to secure its lease for another year. This decision, which has raised concerns, came in response to pressure exerted by the city commission, under the influence of the Society of St. Pius X, a religious group known for its opposition to LGBTQ+ content.
Influence of City Commission
City commissioner Gerard Kleinsmith, a vocal figure in this debate, openly expressed his desire to terminate the library’s lease due to the inclusion of transgender-inclusive literature, which he derogatorily referred to as “garbage.” Although claiming to oppose censorship, Kleinsmith and other commissioners, all affiliated with the Society of St. Pius X, have made it evident that their religious beliefs heavily influence their decisions regarding the library’s content.
Political and Cultural Tensions
Mayor Matthew Childs, known for advocating a “morals clause” for the city’s public library lease and opposing LGBTQ+ materials in the library, recently faced defeat in a school board election where he campaigned against the inclusion of LGBTQ+ content in educational settings. This defeat reflects the ongoing cultural and political tensions in the region.
Influence of the Society of St. Pius X
The Society of St. Pius X, to which these city officials are aligned, holds staunch views against LGBTQ+ issues, considering them grave disorders and sins against natural and divine law. Their perspectives undeniably shape the stance of city officials associated with the group, complicating the library’s efforts to provide inclusive resources.
Library’s Compromise
While the adult section retains some LGBTQ+ books, the junior collection has been virtually cleared of such materials. Library director Judith Cremer explained that this move is an attempt to maintain the library’s presence in St. Marys, where the Society of St. Pius X wields significant influence. Half of the library committee members and all five city commissioners who objected to LGBTQ+ literature on religious grounds are linked to the group.
Cremer expressed her concern about the compromise, stating, “I feel bad because I think that there should be a variety of things for everybody, but like I say, we do have eight locations and I can get anything for anybody within about a day. So that’s a compromise I have to make.”
A Precarious Position
The St. Marys library, serving as a hub for branches in Pottawatomie and Wabaunsee counties, faced the threat of lease termination over the inclusion of LGBTQ+ books. Approximately a dozen books have been removed from the library’s shelves, raising questions about the availability of diverse information for library visitors.
Despite the challenges and difficult decisions, Cremer emphasized the library’s commitment to providing information for individuals to make informed decisions about their lives, even in the face of external pressures.