Library board reappointment paused on LGBTQ+ affiliation
Jun. 23—The reappointment of a library board leader has been challenged on the grounds that his support for the LGBTQIA+ community makes him unfit to serve.
Brian Kirk, an openly gay pastor at First Christian Church, has served since 2019 on the library board and was the vice president. Kirk was not reelected to the vice president role earlier this week during the St. Joseph Public Library Nominating Committee's annual meeting, though he remains a member of the board.
Joshua Blevins, a pastor for Grace Calvary Chapel, is protesting Kirk's position on the board.
The News-Press reached out to Kirk but did not receive a comment by the time of publication. In a statement to the News-Press, Blevins said that this discussion is exemplary of how local politics should operate, generating public discussion on issues that impact them.
"We acknowledge and respect that there are individuals who hold differing viewpoints and opinions regarding this approach and the decision made," Blevins said. "It is precisely this diversity of thought and freedom of belief that we value and uphold as fundamental tenets of our society."
Several members of the community have sent letters in to the mayor's office on the issue, including Sean Connors, the chair of the St. Joseph Human Rights Commission. Connors said participating in this issue is in line with the commission's mission to point out discrimination.
"Brian is one voice out of a total nine on the board," Connors said. "There is nothing that he could do to effect that much change, unless other people are of the same mind, so in the long run, it doesn't matter."
But the library board's decision was based on an overarching understanding from the city, SJPL Director Mary Beth Revels said. The board's choice not to re-up Kirk in his role of vice president comes on the understanding that the mayor and city council, which appoint members to the board, do not intend to include Kirk's name on the list after his term expires.
Revels said she was surprised by the decision because Kirk has served on the board since 2019.
"Brian Kirk has been an exemplary board member, and I actually sent an email, like many people in the community have, to the mayor and city council, and just let them know that he is smart, thoughtful, kind, unbiased," she said. "He's a wonderful board member; he's a hard worker."
Two other board members also have expiring terms and must be reinstated, but all library board discussion has now been removed from Monday's city council meeting agenda. If no selection is made on board members, then previous members continue serving until a decision is made by the city, the St. Joseph City Clerk's Office said. The News-Press reached out to Mayor John Josendale, but he did not reply for comment by the time of publication.
Connors, who is a gay man himself, said the history of the work an individual does should take precedence over who they are outside of their role in any position.
In his statement, Blevins said he believes that the "commitment to maintaining safe spaces for our children, spaces free from the risk of exposure to sexualized materials," should be a top priority for the people of St. Joseph.
"Look at our records, that's what we should be judged on, not the color of our skin, our sexual orientation, our disabilities or anything like that," Connors said. "There are a lot of people in the LGBTQ community that would and could serve in many capacities. But this issue right here will be a defining moment in whether they are welcome in the city, and participatory in the city."
While the matter has been removed from Monday's city council meeting agenda, members of the community are welcome to submit public comment. The city clerk's office said they will be allowed to speak at the meeting as well.
Alex Simone can be reached at alex.simone@newspressnow.com. Follow him on Twitter at @NPNOWSimone.
