One of the bills I’m following on libraries, SB931 was withdrawn by its patron, Chris Head, R- Botetourt County. The bill aimed “to amend and reenact § 18.2-383 of the Code of Virginia, relating to obscene materials; restrictions on purchase, distribution, exhibition, or loan; exceptions; libraries and schools.”
In this Cardinal News article At Head’s request, committee strikes his bill that would ban ‘obscene materials’ in public libraries, schools Head explains that “he asked for the bill to be struck after he talked with representatives from libraries, and said he believes there is a path forward, for the effort and for compromise, without requiring legislation.” His proposal had been spurred by requests from a group that was attempting to remove “pornography” from the library or out of the children’s section. It’ll be no surprise to y’all that what this group labeled pornography mainly had LGBTQ+ themes or characters.
The point is : DON’T GIVE UP TALKING TO YOUR LEGISLATORS!
Because if you do, you know whose voice they are hearing.
The other bills are still in committee. If you have representatives on the Education or Rules committee, they need to hear from you. Refer to the last week’s post for full description of legislation .
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As predicted, there was no action on books at the last RCPS School Board meeting. The Harrisonburg Citizen has a great write-up of that meeting. County school board, with a new chair, move ahead with elementary expansions and more lab schools. While you are at the Citizen’s page, there are also some community perspectives worth reading. Deb Figliola, one of the teachers who sued the Harrisonburg school system for allegedly forcing her to violate her religious beliefs by showing respect and compassion for all of her students, not just the cisgender ones, wrote an article about how right she thought she was. She stated a lot of the facts of the case incorrectly, as pointed out in another article by Deb Fitzgerald, former HCPS school board chair.
As many of y’all are, I’m digesting what the next 4 years will look like. The focus of this substack will remain censorship, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care deeply about other issues. I can’t cover it all and still function. I don’t know how Heather Cox Richardson does it, but I’m glad and eternally grateful she does.
However, I will say this: the censorship is tied in with the desire to erase certain groups — specifically LGBTQIA people, and erase parts of our history. Trans people are especially at risk right now. This government is criminalizing their very existence. Speak up for them.
And if you are a person that needs lists, here’s one: 56 things you can do compiled by Kelly Jensen of Book Riot. Some of these are public facing, many of them are letters or calls or ways to educate yourself. Do just one to start with — it’ll make you feel better, I promise. As much as we would all like to check out of politics — only the privileged can do that.
Do take care of yourself, find the beauty in each day and in the people around you.
Thank you Sandy <3