MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) heard from over 8,000 people during a six-week public comment period concerning a proposed amendment deeming gender ideology as inappropriate for children and youth. On Tuesday, the APLS board heard verbal arguments from both sides of the matter.
Of the 8,478 comments received, 6,781 were in support of the amendment, with 1,697 opposed.
The proposed amendment states, "Under this section, any material that promotes, encourages, or positively depicts transgender procedures, gender ideology, or the concept of more than two biological genders shall be considered inappropriate for children and youth."
A packed room heard from 67 speakers on Tuesday.
Among those supporting the amendment were grandmothers, young adults, pastors, a family advocate for children in DHR custody, Eagle Forum members and a de-transitioner.
"I want to point out that the idea of transitioning is not true," said Ted Halley, a de-transitioner. "Your gender is assigned at birth. You cannot change it. You can change the way you look, but you cannot change who you are. So, with that, children are innocent and they're impressionable and we can feed them truth or we can feed them inconsistent stories."
Those in opposition addressed the board, calling the proposed amendment unconstitutional, transphobic, discriminatory, political and censorship. However, if the amendment passes, children and teens would still be able to access the material with parental permission.
Among those opposing were pastors, people from the LGBTQ community, educators and librarians.
"However you frame it, this is censorship," said Chris Warren, the director of the Dothan-Houston County Library System. "I hope that the APLS executive board will have the decency and good sense to reject these proposed code changes."
Crowd members throughout the three-hour public hearing occasionally verbalized their disdain with those they disagreed with.
Amendment supporter Martha Shamp brought in a visual aid showing sexually explicit materials she found in the Auburn Public Library, including "Let's Talk About It: The Teen's Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Being a Human."
"Auburn Public Library in Lee County has sure disappointed me," Shamp told the board. "They are now a cesspool. They violated the public's trust. This is what we're dealing with over there."
APLS Chairman John Wahl said some argue that under the rules of the APLS, the Bible should not be allowed in the children's section. He said that is the oldest and most disingenuous argument he has heard.
"I have news for people," he said. "A full-length Bible is not in the children's section. There may be a children's Bible, but there's not a full-length Bible. And I think that highlights what's really going on here. We have already taken care of that concern, and we know that even in the Bible, there are some hard concepts that parents should address with children before they just come across them."
Wahl said after hearing speakers in Montgomery on Tuesday, he will consider changing the language to ensure the intent of the code does not appear to "encourage or support negativity towards the transgender community."
"This is why you have a public comment period," Wahl told reporters after the hearing. "It's to hear ideas and concepts. I had not thought about that specific language in the code changes saying, 'positively depicted,' and I think that's something I'm going to be thinking about. That is definitely a possible amendment that I would submit, is looking at how we do that."
The measure could be voted on at the next APLS board meeting in November. However, if the language is changed, Wahl said the board could push back the vote.
Wahl said he was overwhelmed by the response to the proposed amendment. He said the original purpose of the changes stemmed from children finding sexual content in public libraries and hearing concerns from parents.
APLS board member Ronald Snider spoke against the amendment, arguing that it was politically motivated and would take control away from local libraries. He accused Wahl of using his position as chairman of the Alabama Republican Party to solicit support for the amendment.
"I don't know exactly what the inference is there," Wahl responded. "I will tell you I did not send out an email. If there are groups that did – and look, let's be honest, there were groups on both sides of this issue – who were."
Snider's comment at the end of the meeting sparked anger from the crowd, with some opposing the amendment, cursing at Wahl.
Wahl told reporters that multiple Republican groups across the state sent out emails, but he did not.
The meeting was recorded and posted on the APLS website.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day or become a member to gain access to exclusive content and 1819 News merch.
