Pro-LGBT Children’s Books at Public Libraries in Arkansas

LGBT

As Family Council has written before, pro-LGBT children’s books have made their way into public libraries in Arkansas.

For example, the Central Arkansas Library System has Rainbow: A First Book of Pride and ‘Twas the Night Before Pride at some of its locations.

Other books like What Are Your Words? and Jack (Not Jackie) promote transgender behavior to children.

According to information published online, these pro-LGBT books are intended for kids in pre-school and early elementary school. That’s simply inappropriate.

So what can families do if they find pro-LGBT children’s books in their libraries?

Communities can take steps to remove objectionable material from their local libraries.

Library boards and librarians have leeway to establish selection criteria and make decisions about the kinds of material available on the library’s shelves.

Library patrons generally can use a Material Reconsideration Form to ask libraries to remove inappropriate material.

And voters can call on their elected officials to enact laws protecting children from objectionable material in public libraries.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Family Council Joins Amicus Brief Filed With U.S. Supreme Court

Free Speech, Religious Freedom, , ,

Last week Family Council joined 14 other pro-family organizations from across the country in filing an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court.

The brief is part of an important lawsuit regarding free speech and religious liberty.

The case — 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis — has to do with a Colorado graphic designer named Lorie Smith. Lorie believes that marriage ought to be the union of one man and one woman, but the state is requiring Lorie to create designs that violate her beliefs about marriage.

The situation similar to Colorado baker Jack Phillips’ case from a few years ago.

Lorie’s case is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nobody should be forced to say something they don’t believe is true. Everyone should be free to say what they believe without fear of government punishment. Free speech, the free exercise of religion, and rights of conscience are woven into the very fabric of our nation.

That is part of the reason why Family Council chose to join other pro-family groups in filing an amicus brief in support of Lorie before the U.S. Supreme Court.

The amicus brief notes,

In this case, there is no real question that the petitioner, Lorie Smith, is engaged in speech. She’s a graphic artist, and the court below clearly and unequivocally stated that her “creation of wedding websites was pure speech.” Instead, the question is when and whether a state’s nondiscrimination law can overpower Ms. Smith’s rights of conscience and force her to say things she does not believe. . . .

For this artist, a same-sex union does not represent God’s plan for marriage, and it is thus wrong for her to lend her talents to celebrate a union that her religious beliefs reject. She does not refuse to serve gay customers. She only refuses to use her talents to celebrate or transmit messages that she finds morally objectionable.

The brief goes on to outline past court rulings that affirmed free speech and rights of conscience — and how those rulings should protect Lorie’s right to live and operate her business according to her convictions.

In America, you shouldn’t have to give up your freedoms in order to make a living. Lorie should be able to run her graphic design business without having to violate her conscience.

If the U.S. Supreme Court upholds Lorie’s rights, that’s good for everyone.

Oral arguments in the 303 Creative case are expected sometime this fall, and the U.S. Supreme Court will issue a ruling sometime after that.

You can read a copy of the amicus brief Family Council joined here.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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Court Arguments Over Arkansas’ SAFE Act Scheduled for Next Week

LGBT, Transgender,

A three-judge panel for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear arguments next week over whether or not the State of Arkansas should be free to enforce the SAFE Act while a lawsuit over the act’s constitutionally progresses in court.

The Arkansas Legislature overwhelmingly passed the Save Adolescents From Experimentation (SAFE) Act last year.

The SAFE Act is an excellent law that protects children from sex-reassignment procedures, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones.

Researchers do not know the long term effects that puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones can have on kids.

That is part of the reason many experts agree that giving puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children is experimental, at best.

That is also why a major hospital in Sweden announced last year that it would no longer administer puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children.

Unfortunately, the ACLU and others filed a lawsuit against the SAFE Act last summer, before the law officially took effect.

Several business interests and the Biden-Harris Administration also have joined the fight against Arkansas’ SAFE Act.

Last July, U.S. District Judge James Moody temporarily blocked the state from enforcing the law while the lawsuit progresses. 

Arkansas’ Attorney General asked the Eighth Circuit to lift his order so that the state can start enforcing the law right away.

On Wednesday, June 15, a three-judge panel will hear arguments in that case.

According the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, Judges James B. Loken, Jane Kelly, and Katherine M. Menendez will hear the arguments.

President George H. W. Bush appointed Judge Loken to the Eighth Circuit, and he has served there since 1990.

Judge Kelly is one of President Obama’s appointees, and has been on the court since 2013.

Judge Menendez was appointed to the federal district court by President Biden last year.

Regardless of whether or not this panel lets Arkansas enforce the SAFE Act, the lawsuit over the SAFE Act’s constitutionality is progressing and will go to trial this October.

Arkansas’ SAFE Act protects children. We believe federal courts ultimately will recognize that fact and uphold this good law as constitutional.

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