LGBTQ display at Jackson Madison County Library leads to controversy

An LGBTQ display installed at the Jackson Madison County Library has sparked controversy among some community members.

There have been demands to take down the display and threats to withdraw library funding, leaving staff members torn about what should be done and which steps to take next.

"We wanted people who are interested in the library to come in and make comments," Jackson Madison County Library Board Director Greg Jordan said. "There are a lot of things we do not have the answers to. Right now, the display still stands and will not be taken down." 

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The display consists of books stacked together and invites readers to discover another choice of material. 

It was staged in connection with PRIDE month. An organization formed in 1966 by Steve Ginsburg, PRIDE is an acronym for Personal Rights in Defense and Education.

In Jackson, local lawmakers and concerned citizens filled the library's board room Wednesday to voice their opinions about the display. 

Library member Lucy Overstreet was against the display and believed it should be taken down. Her religious beliefs affected her decision, she said.

"God created all of us, but we are all sinners and conceived in sin. But when we come to Jesus, He changes us," Overstreet said. "Marriage is between one man and one woman."

Overstreet also questioned why the library would allow such a display when she pays taxes, expressed her love for the facility and claimed to have been told three years ago that there would be no "homosexual" activities. 

Things got heated after Overstreet's remarks, leading City Employee Lauren Kirk to remind those in attendance to address the board with their issues, not each other.

Drag King Colleen Gilroy said the library needs to keep the display up. 

"The community is growing and change is happening, so the city should be inclusive of everybody," Gilroy said. "The library is a place for all to learn."

Childhood books such as, "Where the Wild Things Are" or "Goodnight Moon" are books written by authors who identify as queer, Gilroy said, noting that they're read and loved by many regardless of who wrote them.

Madison County Commissioner Claudell Brown said he was a proud family man and supported the library's decision to host the display.

"Be mindful that you are the practitioners who exercise the public's trust," Brown told library board members. "The library is a center of enrichment and enlightenment. Our cultures are what they are today because of what many of us get from our library experience." 

Brown told the board he wasn't given the same privileges as a boy because of the color of his skin.

"My heart is heavy because we are here talking about this," Brown said. "I don't have to like you, but because I am born of Jesus, I do love you. I don't necessarily have to agree with you, but like the Apostle Paul said be ye kind to one another, I can live with you because it isn't required for you to be like me.

"Jesus said, 'I am the way, the truth and the life.' Our democracy has expanded, and our country is better. I hope the great job you are doing, you don't let it be drug down with small petty matters such as this. You have a big job. Stay big."

 Katrina Smith is an education reporter at The Jackson Sun. Send those story ideas to kmsmith@gannett.com.