San Diego Public Library Faces Backlash Over Pride Month Display
Adrianne Peterson, the manager of the Rancho Peñasquitos branch of the San Diego Public Library, found herself at the center of controversy when a Pride Month display became the target of right-wing activists. The modest display, which featured LGBTQ+-themed books and a Progress Pride rainbow flag, was met with opposition from two neighborhood residents who demanded the removal of what they believed to be inappropriate content.
The library patrons, Amy M. Vance and Martha Martin, informed Peterson that they had checked out nearly all the books in the Pride display and would not return them unless the library permanently removed the materials. This unexpected reaction left Peterson questioning her understanding of the community she served.
However, the community response proved to be overwhelmingly positive. Following a report on the protest by The San Diego Union-Tribune, supporters donated over $15,000 to the library system. This sum, combined with a city match, will provide over $30,000 to expand the library’s collection of LGBTQ+-themed materials and programming, including popular drag queen story hours.
The incident highlights the ongoing battles over LGBTQ+ rights in the United States, with right-wing activists challenging the recognition of Pride Month and attempting to ban LGBTQ+-affirming materials from libraries and schools. Even in predominantly liberal areas like California, demonstrations against LGBTQ+ events and literature have arisen.
In response to the protests, supporters in San Diego rallied behind the library and condemned the attempt to censor LGBTQ+-themed books. Marni von Wilpert, the city council member representing Rancho Peñasquitos, called on the community to help restore the Pride Month display.
Rancho Peñasquitos, once a solidly Republican area, has undergone a political shift in recent years, becoming more liberal and diverse. Democrats now have a plurality of registered voters in the neighborhood, with almost as many independents as Republicans. Von Wilpert, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, expressed gratitude for the community’s swift response in supporting the library.
Conservative groups nationwide have been pushing for bans on books discussing LGBTQ+ issues in libraries and schools, arguing that parents should have control over their children’s education. The campaign called “Hide the Pride,” promoted by the right-wing group CatholicVote, has further ignited these tensions.
While library officials in San Diego maintain that public libraries are meant to provide access to all kinds of information, book challenges have seen a significant increase in recent years. The American Library Association reported a 38% increase in attempts to censor library books last year, with 2,571 unique titles facing challenges.
The incident in San Diego is just one example of the ongoing culture war surrounding LGBTQ+ issues. Libraries and schools across the country continue to grapple with censorship attempts, leaving librarians fighting to maintain open access to various perspectives and ideas.