Hood County, Texas, which saw a controversy over marriage equality this month, has seen another one over LGBT-themed children's books in a public library -- now apparently resolved with a decision to leave the books on the shelves.
Some residents of the North Texas county had complained about the presence of two books at the Hood County Public Library: My Princess Boy, which advocates for tolerance of gender nonconformity with its story of a boy who likes "girly" things, and This Day in June, which portrays an LGBT Pride celebration.
Today residents packed the chambers of the Hood County Commissioners' Court, the county's governing body, in the county seat of Granbury to offer opinions pro and con regarding the books, which are aimed at children age 4 to 8, reports Dallas TV station WFAA.
Some wanted the books removed from the children's section or from the library altogether. "This library, as many on the progressive left do, hides their contempt for Judeo-Christian values behind the right of free speech," said James Logan, according to the TV station. Another resident opposed to the books, Dave Eagle, spoke of the "duty to protect a child's innocence."
Tiffany Danna, who supported keeping the books, said, "I want to live in a community where ideas are not feared." Another supporter, who was not identified, was heard saying, "If you don't want your children to read these books, don't check them out," WFAA reports.
And librarian Courtney Kincaid said of the books, "What children will probably get out of this is a pretty book, pretty illustrations, and people just being accepted and appreciated. And not bullied."
The meeting ended without commissioners taking a vote, "essentially supporting the decision of the Hood County Library Advisory Board to leave the books on the shelf," the station reports, noting that the county attorney had advised that "removing, relocating, or in any way restricting access to the books would likely constitute unlawful censorship."
Earlier this month, Hood County Clerk Katie Holmes made news with her decision not to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. She said members of her staff would do so, but longtime couple Jim Cato and Joe Stapleton sued after they were turned away by a staffer. The office did finally issue them the license, but the suit is still pending, as their lawyer wants assurance that no other couple will face obstacles.
Watch the WFAA report on the library controversy below.