By Karen Dandurant
FOSTERS DAILY DEMOCRAT
ROCHESTER — Calls to ban books from libraries have become part of political culture wars across the nation. New Hampshire Republican state Sen. Jim Gray, who is also a city councilor, is attempting to take the same action in Rochester.
Gray has named four books he is targeting, all dealing with LGBTQ+ topics. He will bring the issue up for discussion when the City Council meets next week.
“The images are of cartoon type characters involved in sexually explicit activities,” Gray said. “I want to find out the current ordinances and have a discussion of what are the appropriate actions to be taken.”
Three of the books are graphic novels: “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe, “Flamer” by Mike Curato and “Let’s Talk About It” by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan. The fourth is “Here and Queer” by Rowan Ellis. All four are in the Dover Public Library, and three are in the Rochester Public Library.
Gray said he raised the issue after he received an email from a parent who found the books in the graphic novel section in Dover. The parent noted the books were in many area libraries, including Rochester.
Gray’s effort and his characterization of these books elicited pushback from Rochester’s library director, a city councilor and a well-known Seacoast advocate for LGTBQ+ youth.
City Manager Blaine Cox cited a state law noting library trustees, not the City Council, control the books offered in the library. City Attorney Terence O’Rourke said the books offered in the Rochester library are not pornographic in any way.
Gray asked Cox to prepare a report on the books. Cox said the topic is on the agenda for the Sept. 6 council meeting under Gray’s name: “Discussion: Removal of books from Rochester Public Library.”
‘Gender Queer’ has been a national target of conservatives
The Associated Press reported book bans soared in 2021. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom reported there was a rise in threats against librarians, too.
“Gender Queer,” which is about the author coming out as nonbinary, was the most banned book of 2021. It has been previously criticized by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other national conservative figures, according to AP.
The New York Times reported the book includes “a few drawings of nude characters and sexual scenarios” and “explores the author’s discomfort with traditional gender roles.”
Almost all of the books targeted by those seeking to ban them deal with race, gender or sexuality, USA Today reported. The same report states the common argument used to ban the books states the material is “inappropriate’ for students and may foster bias or guilt. Many students believe the opposite is true, the report states, saying they help prevent harmful outcomes for kids.
LGBTQ+ youth need to feel understood, local advocate says
Hershey Hirschkop is executive director of Seacoast Outright, which has served local LGBTQ+ youth for nearly 30 years. She said it’s crucial to have books and resources available to LGBTQ teens.
“The more support LGBTQ teens get, the more successful their lives,” she said. “The less support often leads to mental health difficulties, or even suicides. So, if you want to drive kids under cover, ban the books. If you want them to be proud of who they are, keep the books.”
Hirschkop said when she was growing up, resources were not available.
“I grew up at a time when I couldn’t find anything,” she said. “It was not until I was older that resources began to be available. This is so important to these kids. Not all kids are out yet and they often have no one to talk to. Being able to go to the library and find out there are voices that support them is such a need for them. Without this, and considering recent laws that make kids fear being outed to their parents, kids are going to stay in the closet longer and that’s just awful.”
Hirschkop said she is opposed to banning any books.
“I don’t see how books can be banned and I know it is happening more lately,” she said. “Even if a book might be offensive to me, I believe we need to have a variety of ideas, and we need to be able to discuss them.”
Rochester officials counter Gray’s call for book bans
City Councilor Ashley Desrochers said she plans to speak at Tuesday’s council meeting.
“The City Council has no authority to control literature procured at Rochester Public Library,” Desrochers said. “Library trustees are tasked with overseeing such matters. Queer young adult literature should not be a topic of conversation discussed at City Council. It is disappointing that any elected official would seek to discuss this topic rather than focus on crucial matters impacting our community members and taxpayers such as the local housing crisis, clean energy policies and public safety.”
Rochester Public Library Director Marie Lejeune said she plans to attend Tuesday’s meeting and speak, too.
“Libraries are committed to serving all members of the public,” Lejeune said. “We try to have a collection that serves the needs of all of our members.”
Lejeune said she thinks there is a misconception among some people about graphic novels.
“A lot of people don’t understand graphic novels,” she said. “Many are intended for adults and teens. They are not comic books. They are books/novels, in a different form, a form some people prefer.”
The Sept. 6 council meeting will be held in City Hall chambers, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be livestreamed on the city website.
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