LGBTQ advocates are pushing back after a public library in West Virginia pulled and attempted to ban a queer-inclusive children’s book from its shelves.
Earlier this month, a library in Upshur County removed Prince & Knight—a children’s book featuring a gay love story—from shelves after local pastor Josh Layfield complained about the book “[indoctrinating] young children, especially boys, into the LGBTQA [sic] lifestyle.” According to local ABC news affiliate WVVA, the Upshur County Public Library Board is scheduled to hold a review later this Wednesday, November 20, to decide if the age-appropriate queer book should remain off shelves permanently because it contains LGBTQ content.
ADVOCACY ALERT.
Upshur County Public Library removed "Prince and Knight" by @DanielHaack from its shelves after a local pastor claimed that the book "is a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children, especially boys, into the LGBTQA lifestyle." https://t.co/R4KMtecbkL
— National Coalition Against Censorship (@ncacensorship) November 20, 2019
Multiple advocacy groups—including GLAAD, the American Library Association Office of Intellectual Freedom, the West Virginia Library Association, and the National Coalition Against Censorship—have spoken out against pulling Prince & Knight from public display.
Ahead of the hearing, GLAAD also teamed up with local LGBTQ org Buckhannon Pride to issue a Change.org petition in favor of keeping the book on shelves.
Full Text of @OIF Letter to Upshur County, WV Library Board re: 'Prince and Knight' Challenge https://t.co/TUd2SwKYcV #libraries #books #censorship
— Library Journal (@LibraryJournal) November 20, 2019
As NewNowNext reported last May, Prince & Knight was published as part of GLAAD’s collaboration with Bonnier Publishing USA to release queer-inclusive titles for readers of all ages. The book, authored by Daniel Haack, is a reimagined fairy tale about a prince whose search for a bride ends with him marrying a knight instead. It was followed by Maiden & Princess, a similarly queer-inclusive kid’s book, this April.
In a press statement, Haack thanked LGBTQ activists and anti-censorship advocates in West Virginia for fighting to keep Prince & Knight available to young readers.
“It’s been so heartening to hear from all the local parents and community members who are standing up in support of the book and its celebration of love and acceptance,” Haack said, noting that the book “is meant to be a fun little adventure story that also just happens to better reflect the reality of millions of families not seen in other children’s stories.”
“If the protesters are worried that reading this book will turn someone gay,” the author added, “I can easily refer them to all the gay adults who grew up only reading about straight romances.”