UPDATE: Jan. 30, 8:20 a.m. - Though we have not received any response from Piotrowski at this time, we have learned of a new event page created for the protest. It can be found by clicking here.
“Lansdale, Pennsylvania is bringing perversion from the nightclubs and sexually charged pride parades into the library with children,” reads the details of an event page the group created on Facebook. “Trusted officials are promoting a foul-mouthed adult entertainer named "Annie Christ" (a hateful attack on Christianity) as a role model to our small children, and we must take action. We must ask why our library is taking on such a politically controversial issue—especially when receiving our tax dollars. We strongly believe that it is very dangerous to use publicly funded libraries and government in general to promote radical ideas that defy science and normal ideas about gender.”
The post urges people to take action, beginning with a petition to stop the event. It also asks people to leave reviews on the Lansdale Public Library’s Facebook page, and requests that followers contact multiple local officials to voice their displeasure. In the event those efforts fail, the group will then protest in person outside of the library during the morning of Feb. 2.
Despite the threat of protest, Lansdale Public Library Director Tom Meyer says the event will go on as scheduled.
“We plan to have the story time go on as scheduled,” said Meyer, in an interview with North Penn Now. “We have heard from people opposed to the event and people who are supportive of the event. My main concern is that if protesters do show up the protest will be safe and peaceful.”
Meyer added that the event is not an official event by the library, but rather, the library is allocating space for the event as they do for many other groups and organizations.
“The library is not promoting this event; we are listing it in our calendar and newsletter as we would any other event,” said Meyer. “We expect that parents will be able to make the decision of whether or not they want to bring their child to this story time. We are neither pro-LGBTQ nor anti-Christian, as we've recently been accused. Libraries are neutral on religion, politics, and other ideology. Libraries are for everyone.”
Meyer also quoted Article VI of the
Library Bill of Rights as the reasoning behind the decision to allocate space
for the event. Article VI reads in part:
"Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use."
“One of the tenets of our mission at Lansdale Library is to celebrate the cultural diversity in our community,” Meyer added. “The mission of the Lansdale Public Library is to enrich our community through the encouragement of early literacy, the fostering of life-long learning, and the celebration of the cultural diversity in our area.”
A Theological View
Organizer and evangelist Steve Piotrowski, of Harleysville, said the protest is not hosted by any official organization, but rather a group of concerned individuals coming together in love.
“Several concerned citizens who happen to be Christian decided to possibly have a prayer gathering and press conference in hopes of lovingly, peacefully, and truthfully presenting our side to the community,” said Piotrowski. “We want to let others who share our views know that we are no longer the silent majority, and we are here proclaiming God’s truth in hopes of saving a lost soul.”
That “lost soul” is Annie Christ, a drag queen who frequently hosts events and trivia at The Underground, and who will also be hosting Saturday’s story time at the library.
“I want ‘Annie Christ’ to know that we love him, and we don't hate him, but we do not approve of what he is doing on Saturday,” said Piotrowski. “We want to lovingly let ‘Annie Christ’ know that there is a way to receive eternal joy, and his identity can be found without confusion, but only in Jesus Christ.”
Additionally, Piotrowski says that he views the event as an act of religious discrimination, due to the library being publicly funded.
“We strongly believe that it is very dangerous to use publicly-funded libraries and government in general to promote radical ideas that defy science and normal ideas about gender,” said Piotrowski. “We believe that a library should not be promoting religious discrimination. We believe this to be religious discrimination on Lansdale’s end, and we are calling for local community leaders, residents, religious institutions, and business owners to speak up against it.”
Piotrowski added that the group intends to carry through with a prayer gathering and press conference outside the library on Saturday morning, should the event be held as planned.
“We do not yet have a number of confirmed attendees,” said Piotrowski. “However, the police chief expressed to me that he was willing to protect our First Amendment rights and safety.”
Elected Officials React to Protests
In correspondence with North Penn Now, both Lansdale Mayor Garry Herbert and Councilman Leon Angelichio—the two architects of Lansdale’s Human Relations Ordinance—expressed their support of the event, while also supporting the First Amendment rights of the protesters.
“They have every right in the world to protest something that they disagree with in the public space. That’s their prerogative,” said Herbert. “I feel that the purpose of the event is to promote acceptance and equality, and that’s a message that we should be teaching to our children all the time. So I have no problem with the event, and I have no problem with the protesters that want to peacefully protest an event that they disagree with. As long as it’s done peacefully and without damaging any children, property or people.”
Herbert added that he has received several emails from the group, since the launch of the event page on Facebook.
“I plan on reminding them that the library is a public space designed for learning of all kinds, and that despite their disagreement with what is being taught, it’s still a space for open discussion and learning, and therefore, the event will take place so long as it promotes learning and that agenda,” said Herbert. “As long as it coincides with the Library Bill of Rights, as long as it’s within those confines, it’s appropriate for the library.”
Councilman Angelichio provided the following statement to North Penn Now:
“On Feb. 2, a local entertainer will conduct a story hour at the Lansdale Public Library. Through the reading, a few stories with messages of inclusiveness, understanding, and the condemnation of bullying will be focused upon.
The entertainer in question happens to be a "drag queen.” I am proud to stand behind our library as an organization that provides opportunities in its public spaces for all groups, regardless of their origin, age, background or views. The mission of our library is to offer opportunities to challenge censorship, not to bow down to it.
We, Lansdale, joined an elite group of forward thinking municipalities last year when we passed an ordinance creating a Human Rights Commission, specifically designed to allow for the free expression of ideas and to allow a safe environment for marginalized groups to be accepted. To bow down to a protest founded in fear would absolutely tarnish the strides we've taken in Lansdale to be a community where everyone is welcome.
I absolutely welcome people to exercise their right to peacefully assemble and make their position known. I also expect our law enforcement professionals will maintain a safe environment for everyone to spend their time in our borough."
Safety Precautions Being Taken
Should the protesters follow through and organize outside of the library on Saturday morning, the borough has a plan in place for groups both large and small, according to Herbert.
“We will be putting an area together where [the protesters] can peacefully assemble and protest, and exercise their First Amendment rights,” said Herbert. “It will be made sure they are kept safe from the traffic, as the last thing we want is for a protester to get hurt.”
“We are working to provide security to the kids of the event, and protect the rights of the protesters,” added Lansdale Borough Police Chief Michael Trail.
Due to safety concerns, protesters will not be allowed in the library parking lot. Instead, a safe space will be defined by members of the Lansdale Borough Police Department, according to Herbert.
“I look forward to attending the event and hearing the story, and I look forward to having a healthy discussion about acceptance and equality in our community,” said Herbert. “We feel that’s something extremely important to promote in Lansdale.”
See also:
Annie Christ: Lansdale's Culture Queen
NPSD to Hold Symposium on Race and Ethnicity
Mayoral Musings: ‘ Our Collective Wisdom and Religious Diversity’
Lansdale Council Unanimously Approves Human Relations Ordinance
Human Relations Ordinance Vote Coming Wednesday
