URGENT!
Hudson Area Joint Library sponsors LGBTQ Voices in the Valley event
Remember all the reassurances we received stating that "drag queen story hour will never come here"? It's here, minus the gaudy makeup, clothes and high heels, for now.
Hudson Area Joint Library Board of Trustees meeting
March 16, 2021, 5:30 p.m.
Please speak during citizen comments at the Hudson Area Joint Library Board of Trustees meeting March 16, 5:30 p.m., via Zoom. Why?
Background
- November 2019, community members were concerned about the potential of drag queen story hour presenters coming to the Hudson Library.
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February 2020, the Library implemented a policy to protect children and residents from potential liability by implementing a policy that would require background checks for non-staff presenters. Link here for more information: Citizens for the St. Croix Valley 7.15.5 states: "...All outside presenters will need to undergo a background check or equivalent when presenting a library sponsored or co-sponsored program designed specifically for children/youth under the age of 18." The Hudson Library billed the LGBTQ event as "family-friendly." What does "family-friendly" mean to you?
- July 2020, the Hudson Library started hosting off-premises events at a private business downtown Hudson that did not require background checks. The series is called "Voices in the Valley." These included "Hispanic Voices in the Valley, Black Voices in the Valley, Asian Voices in the Valley, and LGBTQ Voices in the Valley." Do you want your tax dollars or donations to go to these off-premises events that are exempt from background checks?
- At the Hudson Library Board Meeting, November 17, 2020, the Hudson Joint Library Board unanimously approved a "clarification" to the 7.15 Program Policy exempting background checks for non-staff presenters off premises.
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When an "All Voices in the Valley" event was requested, Shelley Tougas, the present co-director and applicant for library director, stated arrangements would need to be made with Hop and Barrel without Library support. Link to present policy: Programming and Room Use.docx (hudsonpubliclibrary.org). Feel free to make your own event request through the Hudson Library.
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The Hudson Library-sponsored program included graphic discussion from a bisexual transgender "woman to man" "married" to a bisexual step-daughter of library co-director Shelley Tougas. These two presenters are not from our area. There was discussion regarding gender altering hormone "therapy." Full names of presenters were not provided. Why? Please watch this video: Rand Paul Confronts Biden's Transgender Health Nominee About "Genital Mutilation. Click here for unofficial transcript.
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Please call the Hudson Area Joint Library Board of Trustees: https://hudsonpubliclibrary.org/about/board-of-trustees/
Paul Berning, President, 715-531-8202; Rich O'Connor, 715-381-0492; Jim Schrock, 715-386-2028; Barbara Peterson, 715-549-6798; Katie Coppenbarger, 715-377-3890; Kristine McCarthy, 651-261-9033; Susan Blank, 715-386-6539; Tracy Whiteley, 715-381-5286.
The Hudson Area Joint Library is asking the four partners (Village of North Hudson, City of Hudson, Town of Hudson, Town of St. Joseph) to increase funding by up to 48%. Contact your municipality and Just Say No! to more tax increases. Our federal, state and local taxes will likely be going up even more. When is enough enough? What is your breaking point?
