Actor and Christian activist Kirk Cameron of “Growing Pains” stardom is speaking out after being denied access to public libraries to promote his new faith-based book, though many of the same facilities regularly host “Drag Queen Story Hour” for children.
In an interview with Fox News, Cameron said he has yet to get a single ‘yes’ from more than 50 public libraries he has approached. The network noted that because of the libraries’ reticence, he “cannot reach scores of American children or their families in many U.S. cities via the public library system.”
While some libraries have rejected him out of hand, others haven’t even bothered to respond, he said, as he tries to present his book on faith, family, and biblical wisdom.
Fox News noted:
A story-hour program for kids and parents connected to new book releases is an activity that many libraries typically present to their patrons and communities.
Many of the same libraries that won’t give Cameron a slot, however, are actively offering “drag queen” story hours or similar programs for kids and young people, according to Cameron’s book publisher and according to a review of the libraries’ websites and current program listings.
Some library programs promote gender fluidity, inclusion and diversity. Others offer “name change” clinics for older teens and adults who want to alter their official paperwork for gender-identity reasons.
Brave Books, which published Cameron’s book, “As You Grow,” shared details of the story hour rejections exclusively this week with the network.
The Rochambeau Public Library in Providence, R.I., for instance, told Cameron and his book publisher over the phone, “No, we will pass on having you run a program in our space.”
“We are a very queer-friendly library. Our messaging does not align,” a library worker added.
After the publisher asked if Cameron could fill out the proper request form first to apply for a spot, the worker responded: “You can fill out the form to reserve space, to run the program in our space — but we won’t run your program.”
The publisher also shared details of its contact with the City Heights/Weingart Branch Library in San Diego. There, a library staffer responded to the request to provide Cameron a slot by saying, “I don’t think that’s something that we would do.”
Then, the worker noted hypocritically: “Because of how diverse our community is, I don’t know how many people you would get.”
The same library hosts several “LGBTQIA events” that go way beyond Pride Month, according to its website, Fox News reported.
“Telling our stories, highlighting the rich diversity … Those themes that are so important of love, acceptance and inclusion and seeing yourself represented in the books that are reading,” a library official said.
Cameron’s book publisher also contacted the Alameda County Library system in California by phone and by email — and discussed its San Lorenzo location, Fox News added.
“You know, I’m really sorry, but we are not interested,” a library worker responded.
