Denver7 News interviewed residents who have made public comment at previous library board meetings on their perspective about the book challenges.
Before the meeting, Sue said:
If there is a 15-year-old, or a 17-year-old kid, who thinks they’re the only ones who are gay, or who are transgender, or who are just questioning what’s going on, they are so isolated, and again, they are more likely to consider harming themselves. Seeing books like this, seeing shows on TV, seeing things in the newspaper, and magazines and online, help these kids to understand they’re not alone, and that they are normal, and it’s okay.”
Sue Zloth, Douglas County FReadom Defender
The library trustees unanimously voted that staff observed and met the standards of Library policy in the selection and management of the Library’s collection specifically for these four books, thereby upholding the decision of the Library Director to retain these materials. After the meeting, Jessica said:
I feel relieved that the trustees upheld the decisions of Library staff and acknowledged library staff’s professionalism and expertise. I am concerned about some of the comments made by trustees indicating a lack of understanding about how the library selects materials and censorship, and indicating a desire to revisit and potentially rewrite library policies.“
Jessica Fredrickson, Douglas County FReadom Defender
Denver7 also contacted Aaron Wood, the conservative Christian activist and originator of the appeals, but Wood and others who have spoken in favor of removing LGBTQ books did not return their request for comment.
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Douglas County FReadom Defenders 