An excellent letter

[velvetpage]

It's from a librarian who was asked to reconsider a book called, "Uncle Bobby's Wedding," because a certain library patron found the subject matter unsuitable to the small children for whom the book was designed.

Here is the librarian's reply to the request for censorship. Beautiful.

Comments

[amazonvera.livejournal.com]

One of the things I've come across when going out to campaign against our local gay marriage ban (or frankly, quite often when I just discuss gay rights with someone who opposes them) is a belief that they and their opinions are the majority, and that gays and those who support them are a tiny, alien, fringe group. I think this leads to people forming ideas and opinions without regard to that community and being a little shocked to be asked to think of them, and think of them as equals.

In the conservative, suburban neighborhood where I went and stood outside a Target collecting signatures, there were a fair number of people downright shocked that the very idea of equality for gays was being mentioned right there in their community. It just never occurred to them that it was that big an issue. I think a lot of people think, "That's for those people in San Francisco," not that there are gay families, gay supporters, and people who are not only not offended but downright pleased about homosexual rights right there in their community.

[velvetpage.livejournal.com]

A few years ago, when our federal government was on the point of passing a law making gay marriage legal across the country, there was a petition placed in the foyer of my church. At a Saturday afternoon concert and again the following day in the service, a well-respected member of the church got up and urged everyone to sign it.

Not only did I not sign it, when I was talking to the people around me after the service, I made a point of telling a few of them that I'd already written a letter to my MP - in support of the gay marriage law. It was surprising how many people basically said, "I'm not writing any letters, but I'm also not signing that petition."

Even so, it was one more nail in the coffin for me. My first requirement for a new religious community home is that it be inclusive. I won't attend anywhere that isn't, and I won't offer financial support anywhere that isn't.