Lee County ends involvement with American Library Association citing parent concerns

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Lee County Commissioners made the decision to end its membership with the American Library Association at Tuesday’s meeting commission meeting.

The separation comes as other Florida counties have cut ties with the American Library Association such as Collier County after concerns over the group’s teachings and beliefs.

“I looked into the concerns that the parents had, and as a parent myself, I’m very concerned about what appears to be pushing of an agenda on kids, a political agenda on kids,” Commissioner Brian Hamman said during the meting.

American Library Association President Emily Drabinski made national headlines after describing herself on social media as a “Marxist lesbian.” The library association has also promoted “Drag Queen Story Hour,” providing resources for libraries facing pushback from hosting the events.

The association’s “Rainbow Roundtable” released its 2023 recommended LGBTQ books for children and youth. One of the suggestions included “The Pronoun Book” for ages 0-3 and another called “Bye Bye, Binary.”

Commissioners voted unanimously to cancel its membership with the association and request a refund for the membership that the county had already paid for.

“It really just seems to be an agenda that is not consistent with where we’re really going. I hope and pray that we can come back to neutrality sometime in the future, but right now, I can’t support being part of this group at all,” Commissioner Kevin Ruane said.

Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass clarified during the meeting that the motion does not restrict access to the bookmobile or the libraries.

“This is about paying an organization that’s out of state, so they could fund their own believes,” Pendergrass said. “And that’s what we’re doing, is not using your tax dollars to pay for that.”

The association’s website said a membership provides professional development, advocacy, and engagement opportunities.