Patrons of the Lafayette Public Library could be sued if their visits have anything to do with Drag Queen Story Time.
New policies were introduced after anti-LGBT groups filed suit against the Lafayette Consolidated Government over a now-postponed story time. While that lawsuit plays out, the library agreed to some changes.
According to an agreement with the court, the library will “stand down” on planning story hour. Meeting rooms cannot be used in any way pertaining to the story hour. Those requesting rooms now have to sign a new form.
Matthew Humphrey and Aimee Boyd Robinson are fighting for inclusiveness for all.
“I also put on the bottom that I refused to sign the certification because it is in conflict with the event I planned,” Humphrey said.
UL political science professor Dr. Rick Swanson says a portion of the agreement concerns him.
“This says basically you can’t talk about anything that has to do with tolerance or acceptance or either for or against discrimination. This limitation is extremely overbroad, which, by definition, makes it unconstitutional under well established Supreme Court doctrine,” Swanson said.
“If you go into the library and have a conversation with someone about the concept of tolerance or discrimination, that itself would violate this agreement and subject you to a lawsuit by the library. That’s highly problematic from a constitutional standpoint,” Swanson explained.
Robinson says she will continue to fight because everyone deserves a voice.
“It’s also about making sure everyone has a seat at the table, every time for everything, and I will always do that. People shouldn’t have to be fighting for their seat at the table, but as long as they do, someone has to help them fight for that seat at the table, and I will do it every time,” Robinson said.
