Scores of public libraries has rejected Kirk Cameron’s proposal for a story hour that will reach lots of American children with his new book “As You Grow,” a book about family life, faith and biblical wisdom.
Brave Books, Cameron’s publisher, reached out to above 50 public libraries within the country to schedule a story hour that will allow children to learn about the values contained in the book, but no one has given a positive response.
The irony, however, is that a lot of these libraries that have turned Cameron down are “actively offering ‘drag queen’ story hours or similar programs for kids and young people,” according to Cameron’s book publisher and a review of the libraries’ websites and current program listings.
The Rochambeau Public Library in Providence, Rhode Island, told Cameron and his publisher by phone, “No, we will pass on having you run a program in our space. … We are a very queer-friendly library. Our messaging does not align.”
When Brave Books asked a library official about filling an application form for a story-hour slot, the official replied, “You can fill out the form to reserve a space, to run the program in our space, but we won’t run your program.”
On its website, the Rochambeau Public Library has a program “Queer Umbrella,” which serves young people and is described as “An ACN-accredited club and safe space where teens can learn, discuss and connect over queer history, art, community resources and more! Open to all members of the LGBTQ community who are 12+.”
City Heights Weingart Branch Library in San Diego, California, was also contacted and a library representative told the publisher, “I don’t think that’s something we would do. … Because of how diverse our community is, I don’t know how many people you would get.” Yet the San Diego library celebrated Trans Awareness Week in November to “help raise the visibility of transgender, non-binary and gender-fluid people and address issues members of the community face.”
The library’s website says it actively hosts a number of LGBTQIA events that go beyond Pride Month, including “An Evening with Kyle Lukoff” during Trans Awareness Week that promoted Lukoff’s book, “If You’re a Kid Like Gavin: The True Story of a Young Trans Activist” and Drag Queen Story Hour featuring Vancie Vega.
The website says that their drag queen story hour is “a family-friendly way of recognizing and celebrating our diversity and individuality through age-appropriate stories and songs.”
In its book recommendations section, for LGBTQIA History Month, it promotes books such as “Bad Gays: A Homosexual History,” Billy Jean King’s “All In,” “Gay Bar” and “The Queer Bible” which the library describes as “a collection of essays written by today’s queer heroes, featuring contributions from Elton John, Tan France, Gus Kenworthy and others.”
Alameda County Library System in California representative replied, “You know, I’m really sorry, but we are not interested.” When contacted by Brave Books via email and phone.
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