PA Diversity Network Supports
Diversity in Lehigh Valley and Berks County Libraries.


In December 2007, the Lehigh Valley's mainstream newspaper the Morning Call
reported that a parent who read the Lower Macungie Library's book King and King
to her child was shocked to learn it was a story about same-sex Princes who get married.
The parent demanded the library remove the book, even asking the Township Supervisor
to remove the book. But the library stood firm and kept the book on its shelves.
Read the articles and a Morning Call column by Margie Peterson
by clicking on the links below.




In support of pro-diversity actions by the library -
PA Diversity Network made a $50 donation to Lower Macungie Library.
PDN also purchased 4 copies of King and King to donate to
Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Reading Libraries because
they did not have the books in their collections.

To read about the plot of "King and King," click here.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE KING AND KING
TO YOUR TOWN'S LIBRARY

Click on the links below to read the full articles.
These libraries already have "King and King" - Lower Macungie, Boyertown, Exeter, Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, and soon: Reading, Whitehall.

Children's book outrages parents
Lower Macungie residents in uproar over tale about two men.
By Kevin Amerman | Of The Morning Call
November 30, 2007

Abstract:
Storytime ceased abruptly when the picture book Eileen Issa was reading her 2 1/2-year-old son surprisingly ended with two men marrying and smooching.

The tale about a disgruntled queen who demanded that her son marry a princess looked like the average children's book to the mother of two when she scooped it up along with about nine others at the Lower Macungie Library. She had no idea the book has been the subject of a federal lawsuit and controversy in other parts of the country.

''I saw them at the altar and I said, 'This can't be what I'm thinking,''' Eileen Issa said, recalling illustrations of the prince holding hands with and kissing his new husband. ''I was sick.'' Since that day, Issa and her husband, Jeff, have demanded that the library take it out of circulation.

The book will remain on the shelf despite the Issas' complaints and about 40 signatures they've gathered from residents who agree...

Link to full article: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5king.6161310nov30,0,2885794.story



Flap over children's book may mean it's more available
Gay rights group buys copies for other libraries in Valley.
By Kevin Amerman | Of The Morning Call
December 6, 2007

Abstract:
Lower Macungie Library's decision to keep a controversial children's book about two men marrying is being applauded by a gay advocacy group, which has decided to buy copies of the book and donate them to other area libraries.

The Pennsylvania Diversity Network, with headquarters in Allentown, says it has made a donation to the Lower Macungie Library and will send four copies of ''King & King'' to public libraries in Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem and Reading. The Lower Macungie Library says it could use the donation to buy the sequel to the book, called ''King & King & Family..."

Link to full article:www.mcall.com/news/local/allentown/all-a1_5king.6170281dec06,0,2899699.story


Removing 'King & King' would be just the beginning
By Margie Peterson | Of The Morning Call
December 6, 2007

Abstract:
Several years ago I was reading a children's book to my barely school-age sons when some graphic detail took me aback.

''Then the king gave commands, and they brought the men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, and their children and their wives as well. And the lions broke all their bones into pieces,'' read the passage in ''The Children's Bible'' published by Golden Press...

Link to the full column: http://www.mcall.com/news/columnists/all-5book-a.6171423dec06,0,325405.column




There were also four pro-GLBT Letters to the Editor and one anti-GLBT letter.
Letters:
http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion
December 6, 2007