In a recent open letter, Homewood City Council candidate JJ Thomas set the record straight on prior communications questioning the age appropriateness of content, social media posts and activities targeting children and teens in the Homewood library.
His concerns spanned months and at least three seperate events including a Pride scavenger hunt for small children that rewarded them with candy for finding LGBTQ+ themed books, a library description of the pornographic graphic novel Gender Queer as "a useful and touching guide on gender identity."
Thomas wrote, “Recently, some false rumors have been shared about me and my family. Seemingly for political gain or possibly just for pure personal attacks.” He laid out the details of the accusations and encouraged civility, honesty, and public participation even from those who may hold differing opinions from his own.
Thomas explained in the letter, “I ask that you recognize I put my name on the ballot, but my family and the employees at the businesses I am a part of did not.”
The attacks on Thomas stem from people misrepresenting concerns Thomas raised in 2022 about content and programming at the Homewood library. A 42-page document package, comprising emails produced in response to a public records request, is circulating online and has been reviewed by 1819 News.
The packagle includes emails from Thomas to library officials politiely expressing his concerns and asking for public records related to some of the library's decision making process.
In a June 12, 2022 email he wrote, “In addition to the online promotion of LGBTQIA+ romantic relationships to preschooler and elementary aged kids the Homewood Public Library took the extra step of decorating the young kids section prominently with some of the following books,” showing images on display of throughout the childrens section of the libarary.
His email continued, "Lastly, the HPL children's scavenger hunt this week rewards with a prize from the librarian advertised to kids as young as 3 to 5 year olds the challenge of finding books titled "Born Ready The True Story of a Boy Named Penelope" and "PRIDE The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag". When asked if an alternative scavenger hunt is available for our 5 year hold we were told no and the librarian proactively added "they are just pictures". Please do not misunderstand the intent behind this email, and likely many others you have or will receive from concerned parents. One does not need to be against "Pride Month", homophobic, anti-gay, or any other similar position in order to believe what the HPL is doing, especially in relation to preschool and elementary kids, is inappropriate, at best."
The library's response, also included in the package being shared online, said in part, "With regard to the weekly scavenger hunt, the Children's Department has highlighted monthly celebrations by featuring them in the scavenger hunt. Over the years, we have offered a variety of optional passive activities, like the scavenger hunt, to keep kids occupied while they are waiting on a tutor, library event, or other activity. Again, the intent was not political or malicious, but in hopes of recognizing the monthly celebrations, as had been done for other monthly celebrations, and highlighting the books within our collection."
In a second and third series of emails months later, Thomas questioned the books selected for promotion during "National Banned Books Month."
"To my astonishment, the HPL felt it appropriate to promote via social media and directly from its home page the top 10 banned books of 2021. Just like the age inappropriate content HPL choose to promote for Pride Month, no other local Birmingham library felt the advertisement and promotion of this banned book list was age appropriate," he stated.
Homewood included descriptions of banned books on their website, which include HPL staff commentary on several books.
Gender Queer - HPL's opinion: "it is a useful and touching guide on gender identity"
Lawn Boy - HPL's opinion: "Lawn Boy is an important, entertaining, and completely winning novel about social class distinctions, about overcoming cultural discrimination, and about standing up for oneself"
Thomas then quoted explicit passages that contradict the wholesome description provided by the Homewood library.
"What if I told you I touched another guy's dick?" I said.... "What if I told you I sucked it?" ... "I was ten years old, but it's true. I put Doug Goble's d*ck in my mouth."
"All I could think about while he was chatting me up over the rim of his cappuccino was his little salamander between my fourth-grade fingers, rapidly engorging with blood."
“I believe it is right and fair for voters to know the truth and full backstory,” Thomas explains before laying out the facts in a bullet point list.
I never asked for books to be banned or removed from shelves.
The publicly available age ratings of some of the books I questioned is for as old as 14 years old or 9th grade. Yet, targeted to young children. One such book at this age rating was included on the scavenger hunt activity handout where young kids get rewarded with candy.
The content, in my opinion, would be age inappropriate for younger children whether it involved heterosexual or homosexual storylines. Based on my research, on no other occasion before or since did the library promote or advertise similarly age inappropriate content to young children. Which is why the issue involved the June 2022 Pride Month content.
I raised concerns, as a parent, about age appropriateness of certain content being promoted prominently in the young children’s section of which we frequented and also advertised to children, including mine. Within the young children’s section the content was on top of the shelves, hanging on the walls, and contained within the scavenger hunt handout.
I purposefully did not make this a public issue or intentionally inflame the issue on social media. Even though it involved public money and individuals that serve the public, and some that seek to continue to.
I followed the proper process—speaking privately and directly with library leadership—and shared my concerns respectfully. The Library Board and Director ultimately control all content decisions; not me.
The library leadership made their own decisions to refrain from the promotion and advertising to young children of the content in question and, importantly, to my knowledge, all materials were and are still available on shelves. There was no ban or removal. Nor was one advocated for by me.
In addition to the age appropriateness issue, there are laws that speak to this very topic and it was, and still is, my opinion that age ratings and applicable laws should be considered in the criteria the library uses when deciding which section a book should be in and to which audience a book is advertised and targeted.
Lastly, I encourage anyone who agrees with my position on not targeting young children with content meant for older kids to contact the Library and let them know. Similarly, I especially encourage those that disagree with me to do so. That is the benefit of an open and public process.
In his recent letter, Thomas said, “I respect that people in Homewood may disagree but I hope we can also agree that parents have a right and responsibility to speak up for their family. And, do so in a professional way following the appropriate processes and procedures” He further explains, “My hope is as a neighbor, friend, or potential City Council representative that even when you may disagree with what I say I hope you agree with how I say it and that I believe equally in your right to represent your family.”
Thomas is running against the incumbent Nick Sims for Ward 2. Municipal elections will be held on August 26. Details on Homewood municipal elections can be found on the City's elections website, which provides important dates and updates on the current form of council and government.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected]
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