'Queer Bible' library book display still unresolved as activists demand taxpayer funding

'Queer Bible' library book display still unresolved as activists demand taxpayer funding

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RIDGELAND — The display of politically controversial books at the public library and taxpayer funding was not resolved during a lengthy meeting here Tuesday night where citizens spoke.

Officials have yet to come to an agreement over about $100,000 in the ongoing contract dispute between the Madison County Library System and the city over the prominent display of books like “The Queer Bible.”

About 17 people addressed the Mayor and Board of Aldermen in a standing-room-only crowd that overflowed outside of the board room at City Hall during a regular meeting Tuesday lasting until after 10 p.m. 

Library representatives and political activists have accused the mayor of improperly withholding taxpayer funds from the library and banning books, but the mayor has insisted it is the prominent display of politically controversial books that is his concern.

Speakers were roughly split half and half on the issue.

Supporter of the library  included MCLS Director Tonja Johnson and Teresa Gerald with Friends of the Ridgeland Library.  

Chris Hinkle of Ridgeland, asked Mayor Gene F. McGee directly if he he was trying to ban or censor books.

“No,” McGee replied both times. Hinkle then clarified that the issue at hand was the display of certain books at a prominent place in the library.

“We understand that there are lots of books on the library shelves that may have content we may be opposed to but the display of those books makes a political statement,” McGee has said previously.

After a few hours the board went into executive session to “discuss a matter of potential litigation.”

The attorney for the library system was invited to join the mayor and board in executive session and, although no agreement was reached, City Attorney John Scanlon read a statement at about 10 p.m. and the meeting was adjourned.

“The Board of Aldermen has not withheld, is not withholding, and will not withhold money because of any books in the library system,” Scanlon said. “There is currently a dispute between the parties as to whether a valid contract exists.”

The issue stems from a dispute between the library and the city that started last month McGee said he had received between 15 and 20 complaints from citizens objecting to books that had been prominently displayed and were making a political statement.

McGee said that he discovered that the contract between the library system and the city was not valid as it was approved in 2009 and the city has had three municipal elections since. 

Contracts approved by the city board may be revisited by subsequent boards as they see fit.

McGee said that the city is holding their budgeted payment of $110,000 to the library until a new agreement is reached and approved by the city and library boards as well as the county Board of Supervisors. 

McGee said that the funds do not have a due date and that to his knowledge the city’s contribution has never been paid in one lump sum.

“The city is requesting to enter into a new contract that would give the Board the authority to make the contributions,” the statement Scanlon read said.

In addition to their yearly contribution to the library system, the city also owns the building the library is housed in and maintains the property as well.

The city’s statement goes on to describe the relationship between the board and the library system as harmonious and noted that the board wishes “to continue that.”

“Tonight, we have had a meaningful discussion with legal counsel from the Madison County Library System and have been requested to send a revised contract with the mutual goal of providing a library that’s funded by our citizens, and the board hopes that this matter could be resolved expeditiously,” Scanlon said.

One of the books in the displays that has drawn criticism is a collection of essays edited by Jack Guinness called “The Queer Bible.”

Another is “As a Woman: What I Learned about Power, Sex, and the Patriarchy after I Transitioned” By Paula Stone Williams. The description on Amazon says that the book is a memoir of a transgender pastor’s transition from male to female.

Other titles include “Outlove: A Queer Christian Survival Story” by Julie Rodgers, “the Name I Call Myself” by Hasan Namir and “People of Pride: 25 Great LGBTQ Americans” by Chase Clemesha.

Many of these books and others were mentioned during the public comment section of the meeting.

Cal Wells, an attorney from Jackson, said that he was one of the people who saw the display and brought it to the mayor’s attention.

Wells said the issue is not about censorship. 

“It is about a group of library employees promoting a lifestyle which some of us have chosen not to accept and for pushing it on kids at an age where they are way too young to understand the ramifications of their decisions,” he told the Journal Wednesday morning.

Wells had said Tuesday night during the meeting that it was clear to him the display of books had “one agenda.” 

“It was not balanced it was designed to put something in front of people,” Wells said.

He went on to say that the spotlight should not be on the mayor and board but on the officials who run the library and the books on display.

Patrick Jerome, a resident of Ward 3, said Tuesday night that he was “embarrassed’ to explain what was going on.

Jerome said that Mississippi politicians from “the Governor to the dogcatcher in D’Lo” talk about prayer and faith but that “we don’t pay public officials to save our souls.”

He said that the money was budgeted and therefore “promised” to the library.

As of Wednesday morning, the fundraiser at the liberal activist group fundlibraries.org had raised more than $112,354 in 20 days from 2,506 backers.

Gilbert said that the funds would keep the library open through September.

The fundraising has been pushed by an activist community known as the “furries.”

The website LGBTQ Nation says: “While the furries are mostly known for dressing up in full-body costumes of furry animals, they’re also known for being pro-LGBTQ and opposing hate and bigotry in their communities.” 

A statement on the MCLS website labeled “Statement on Freedom of Information” was posted on Jan. 26.

The statement ends with a quote attributed to MCLS Board of Trustees President Jerry Valdez.

“We look forward to continuing our tradition of excellent library service in Madison County,” Valdez said.

Valdez is one of nine members off the MCLS board of trustees. Each member is appointed. Each supervisor gets and appointee. The cities of Canton, Flora, Ridgeland and Madison also appoint a member.

Valdez represents Flora. The city of Ridgeland’s appointee is Polly Hammett. The remaining board members are Wallace Collins of Madison, Sheila Jones appointee Penni Davis, Trey Baxter’s appointee is Arma Harper, Gerald Steen’s appointee is Connie Machado, David Bishop’s appointee is Shirley Washington and Paul Griffin’s appointee is Shirley Ann Sanders.

The city of Canton does not currently have an appointee on the board as of Jan. 11.

Johnson said that she hopes the issue is resolved swiftly.






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