Request to Remove Gay Documentary from Lafayette, LA Library Denied

But a change in the committee balance may mean a different outcome next time

On March 9th, a request to remove a DVD documentary called “Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood” (affiliate link) from the Lafayette Public Library was denied. The library committee considered the request for the DVD to be removed from the system for the third time since November.

According to meeting minutes, Kathy LaFleur, who made the recent request that the DVD be removed, said that she found it appalling to find a DVD that included orgies in a respected library and that it seemed to come highly recommended. Her requested action was to take it off the shelf, or she would go higher up.

In the same meeting, according to minutes, Courtney Malagarie stated that children have a right to innocence and that parents have a right to teach their children as they see fit. She noted the belief that the local library has become a stomping ground for advocacy groups and their mission to do away with parental rights.

Jean Menard stated her belief that the library does not act in place of a parent and that libraries are for everyone and mentioned that the American Library Association strongly condemns censorship. Holly Best stated that no one has the right to be someone else’s moral authority. Gene Paquette, a bookseller, said that book banning was close to book burning.

The Lafayette Public Library Board of Control Reconsideration Committee of three declined to make a motion to reconsider the material. Therefore, the item in question will remain in place unless an appeal is made and the appeal would be held in front of the entire Library Board. Any decision the full Library Board would make would be final if appealed and heard.

Also brought up in the March 9th meeting was the change in the makeup of the Reconsideration Committee. The committee considering the ban consisted of two librarians and one politically appointed board member. However, the library board has made a decision to change the committee balance to two politically appointed board members and one librarian.

Lafayette community members voiced displeasure about the library board’s decision to change the board structure. In her public comment, Lynette Mejia recommended that the Collection Development policy be changed back to a Reconsideration Committee composed of two library staff members appointed by the Library Director and one Library Board member.

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