Posted on 09/23/2008 8:29:32 AM PDT by GATOR NAVY
WASILLA Responding to news reports about then-Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin asking a librarian how she would feel about banning books, a San Francisco man has donated two childrens books dealing with homosexuality to the Wasilla Library.
Mike Petrelis, a 49-year-old who files Freedom of Information requests for a living, said he was aghast to read reports of Palins 1996 inquiry about banning certain books at Wasillas library.
The news old news in the Mat-Su Valley, but new in the Lower 48 prompted Petrelis to send to Wasilla Heather Has Two Mommies and Daddys Roommate, both childrens books that explain gay lifestyle.
I said, Im going to send copies of both books just to make sure theyre on the shelves, Petrelis said.
The story of Palins book removal question caught national attention after reporters arrived in town to probe Palin following Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCains surprise Aug. 29 announcement. In the ensuing barrage of media attention on Wasilla, the inquiry as to the librarians feelings on pulling some books became one of the many old Palin stories that suddenly became new again when it reached the Lower 48.
There is no evidence that Palin ever banned any books from the library, although many Outside media outlets have incorrectly reported to the contrary. One book with which Palin reportedly had a problem was Pastor, I am Gay, by Howard Bess, a Valley resident and now-retired minister of the Church of the Covenant in Palmer.
Still, to Petrelis, Palins asking about removing books from the shelves was an attempt at censorship.
Whether Heather Has Two Mommies or Daddys Roommate will make it onto the shelves of the Wasilla Public Library is unclear.
Library Director KJ Martin-Albright said she has received the books but, like any donation, they have to go through a process that determines what to do with them.
There are two options for donations, she said. Either the library puts the book on the shelves or gives it to Friends of the Library to be sold. Martin-Albright said factors such as the authors reputation, importance of the subject matter to the librarys collection, space availability in the library and a litany of other factors are used to determine the fate of donated materials.
As of Monday, there is no timeline for when a decision on the books Petrelis sent will be made, and Martin-Albright stressed every donated book goes through the same process.
Its the only way to be fair, she said.
Petrelis idea to send the books seems to be well received in Alaskas gay community. Bent Alaska, a blog chronicling gay news and events in the state, praises the donation on its Web site.
Tim Stallard, owner of Out in Alaska, a gay and lesbian guide service, said he thinks Petreliss effort is well-placed.
I think its a good statement, Stallard said. I think in a free society like ours, openness and education and information are always important.
Stallard added the timing is right after the Wasilla Public Library was thrust into the spotlight when Palin was named to the Republican ticket.
For Petrelis, his timing is even better because Banned Books Week, the American Library Associations celebration of the freedom to read, begins Sept. 27. And more books dealing with homosexuality could be donated to Wasilla library soon. On his blog, Petrelis Files, Petrelis said he hopes to donate another gay-themed book, And Tango Makes Three, to the library.
Petrelis said while a book like Heather Has Two Mommies may not show a lot of circulation, that doesnt necessarily mean its not being read.
Contact Michael Rovito at Michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.
Oh, spare me.
activist Michael Petrelis of Queer Nation has launched a campaign to “out” several politicians and public servants, particularly a well known Department of Defense official. Petrelis tried something similar last year, but reporters refused to carry his allegations without evidence. This year, however, gay newspapers across the country have run with Petrelis’ claims that the official and others are closeted homosexuals, reigniting a heated debate within the community over outing and, more generally, the limits of militancy.
I wonder if Michael is going to pass out AIDS test & condoms with those books?
Is that a bull moose? Those are some beefy moose limbs.
Condoms and bananas.
funeral home business cards?
if kept they should go with the other adult sex materials. These are NOT children’s books, they are books about recreational sex and have no place near children.
from what i remember reading - both those titles are already on the shelf in that library.
maybe (s)he should have save his(her) money.
(ya never know the true gender of these people)
They very well could be. I have spent a fair amount of time in the Wasilla library but neither of those two titles was on my reading list.
I sure Mike Petrelis also filed a Freedom of Information request to ensure religious books are allowed as well. < /sarc>
Homo’s go home. We don’t want your filth, quit pushing it on us.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.