How a Tampa Bay city is fighting GOP attacks over LGBTQ+ library materials
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The Progress Pride flag, photographed this month in the Largo Public Library's teen room. Teenage patrons erected the flag themselves, Mayor Woody Brown told Axios. Photo: Kathryn Varn/Axios
Facing resistance from local officials and residents, a Republican state lawmaker has ramped up his attacks on a Tampa Bay public library over LGBTQ+ materials.
Why it matters: The situation unfolding in Largo, a city of about 80,000 people with an award-winning library, is an example of how GOP-led scrutiny over school curriculum and books has spilled into public libraries.
- If Largo is part of a broader pattern, state Rep. Berny Jacques told Axios, "maybe we do need a state law … to take this on and mirror this off of what we've done in K-12 education."
What they're saying: The Largo Public Library is a point of pride for many residents who showed up at a City Commission meeting this month to voice their support for Mayor Woody Brown, who has pushed back against Jacques.
- "Everyone is always welcome and safe. I'm always happy when we visit," Lillian Gabuzda, 14, told commissioners. "The library is perfect just the way it is."
- Brown at the same meeting accused Jacques of "political posturing" and called the situation "unfortunate."
Catch up quick: Jacques last month threatened to cut off his support of state funding for Largo and its library over what he called the promotion of "radical gender and sexual ideology to children."
- The materials Jacques took issue with, according to photos he shared on social media, were a Progress Pride flag, in a room reserved for ages 12 and up, and brochures with lists of picture books and young-adult novels with LGBTQ+ characters or themes.
Zoom in: After Brown sent a response denying wrongdoing, Jacques submitted a public records request last month asking for complaints to the library that mentioned certain keywords, including "pride month," "LGBT materials" and "DEI," as well as Jacques' name.
- He also asked for communications between various city and library leaders that mention those keywords, according to a copy of the request he posted on social media.
The latest: "We're coming up with a gameplan on when to release what we've uncovered," Jacques told Axios this week.
- He declined to elaborate.
Yes, but: Jacques did share one example on social media: a July 2023 resident complaint over "If You're a Drag Queen and You Know It," a picture book by drag performer and activist Lil Miss Hot Mess that the complainant said was "sexual" and inappropriate for the children's section.
- Drag is a centuries-old art form that explores gender fluidity. Some drag shows have risqué elements, but that isn't the norm.
- The complaint went before the Library Advocacy Board, a panel of residents appointed by city commissioners, who opted to keep the book where it was.
- "The library collection should be reflective of the community," library director Casey McPhee wrote to the resident. "While this and other titles may not reflect the viewpoint of some parents, we cannot discriminate against others who do have an interest in this material."
By the numbers: It's one of five total complaints reviewed by library officials since Jan. 1, 2020, according to documents obtained by Axios via a public records request.
- All five were regarding books about pride or drag, and library officials opted to retain them.
Between the lines: When asked about the number of complaints and the show of support from residents at the recent commission meeting, Jacques said there's a "silent majority" that supports him.
- "I'm not deterred by the naysayers or those on the other side of this because I believe in this issue," he said.
What's next: Brown told Axios that commissioners are planning to review library policies at a work session next month.