Mississippi mayor threatens to withhold thousands in funding for libraries over LGBTQ books

Thousands of dollars in funding meant for the Madison County Library System are currently in limbo after Ridgeland Mayor Gene McGee threatened to withhold the money until books with LGBTQ themes and authors are removed from the shelves.

Library system Executive Director Tonja Johnson said McGee is threatening to withhold about $110,000 in funding previously approved in the city's budget for the 2022 fiscal year, which began in July, after residents brought the books to his attention. Johnson said so far, Ridgeland has withheld two payments.

The story was originally reported by the Mississippi Free Press.

"In my capacity as mayor, I simply believe the books are inappropriate for children," he said.

Under the contract originally drafted in 1993 and updated in 2009, all cities with branches under the Madison County Library System are required to provide funding through a tax levy or the city's general fund.

Johnson said four complaints about the books have been received from community members since September, when the books were originally part of a display.

Some of the books include "What Are Your Words?" by Katherine Locke, which explores how children can ask about and use preferred pronouns among peers. Another book, "Toby Wears a Tutu" by Lori Starling, explores how children can love who they are despite what others may think about their clothes or actions, like a boy taking ballet lessons.

The Mississippi Free Press reported the library's board of trustees voted unanimously on Tuesday to bring the matter before the Ridgeland Board of Aldermen. A date for the meeting has not yet been set.

LGBTQ children's books made up part of new books display in September

Officials from the library system said the books were originally part of a new books display in the children's area, which was removed around November.

Johnson said no one has officially requested the books be removed.

The books have since been placed in normal circulation and were checked out at the Elsie E. Jurgens Library in Ridgeland as of Thursday.

In a statement published to the library system's website, Jerry Valdez, president of the system's board of trustees, said all libraries under the board's purview remain committed to serving residents from all walks of life.

"The public library is the institution in our society that attempts to provide a diversity of viewpoints on a wide range of topics of interest ... no matter how controversial or objectionable those ideas may be to some people," he said. "The libraries will always be guided by a sense of responsibility to both present and future in adding materials that will enrich their collections."

Attempts at removing controversial books continuing nationwide

Rob Hill, executive director of Human Rights Campaign Mississippi, said he's heard anecdotally of residents in other areas of the state attempting to pull books with LGBTQ themes from schools and libraries.

Hill said he believes McGee's decision could serve not only to spark actions from anti-LGBTQ proponents, but have a negative emotional impact on LGBTQ youth in the area.

"Once again, they're hearing from an elected leader that they shouldn't be included and that they're not valuable," he said.

Similar attempts at pulling books that teach about gender identities and other LGBTQ topics have happened in school districts and libraries across the nation in recent months.

One Iowa school district removed titles, including "All Boys Aren't Blue" by George M. Johnson, "Lawn Boy" by Jonathan Evison and "Gender Queer: A Memoir" by Maia Kobabe, from its shelves following parent complaints about the material being too explicit.

A branch of the Indianapolis Public Library drew international attention in August when a viral Facebook post called the library's display of LGBTQ books "horrifying" and accused library officials of trying to indoctrinate children. The post called on the public to ask for the books to be removed, but officials instead received dozens of calls and emails of support from across the nation and abroad soon after the post began getting thousands of interactions.

The push to remove material considered by some to be controversial comes at a time when many young people, especially those in the South, are struggling with mental health.

A recent study from the Trevor Project found more than 70% of young adults across the South have struggled with finding acceptance and thoughts of self-harm.

A general lack of accepting spaces in southern cities resulted in a 9% higher probability of LGBTQ people attempting self-harm or suicide within the past year, the study found.

Have an education-related news tip? Contact Keisha Rowe at nrowe@gannett.com, on Twitter or at (601) 760-2483.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi mayor threatens to withhold library funds over LGBTQ books