A children’s book creates controversy in Colchester and centers on a book about drag queen RuPaul.
Right now the book is on the library desk so people can still see it for themselves. And according to online records, you can also find it in many state libraries.
Parents in town defend him while others raise concerns.
“You want your children to be in a community that accepts everyone,” said Jessica Clements, from Colchester.
Parents have learned of a controversy involving the book titled “Who is RuPaul?” at the Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester.
“The book in question is about a gay black man who did a lot to raise awareness and normalize gay culture,” said Jesse Berman, from Colchester.
We are told that the book is part of a much-loved series of 4e5e and 6e graders.
And it had been featured as part of a Pride display.
“A parent approached me on Friday last week about a book in the children’s section of our library which contained potentially sexually suggestive images,” said Andreas Bisbikos, (R) Colchester first selectman.
The first coach says he took the problem to the director of the library on Monday.
“He initially asked me to take it down and I told him we had this policy,” said Kate Byroade, director of the Cragin Memorial Library.
The library manager says anyone can fill out a form raising concerns about the material, which was never done for the book.
She says it was a drawing forming the word ‘viva’ which the community member found offensive.
“People are concerned about things and I just hope there’s a process and we respect everyone’s perspective and have things in the library for everyone,” Byroade said.
On Facebook, the first breeder wrote that the book had been withdrawn from circulation and that he had requested an inventory of all children’s material.
Many said they felt the response was too blunt.
“It has nothing to do with censorship or banning books. It really raises the question of whether certain books in our library are age-appropriate for our children?” says Bisbikos.
The first coach says he would like the review to be done later this week.
He also says that the parent who first reported the problem should file a formal complaint soon.