The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday to block library staffers from participating in next month’s Fresno Rainbow Pride event and placed the legal restrictions it could on Pride-related displays at county library branches.
Supervisors Garry Bredefeld, Nathan Magsig, and Buddy Mendes rejected the library staff’s request to set up an informational booth after Fresno’s annual Pride parade, even though event organizers offered to waive the usual $125 fee.
During the meeting, Bredefeld placed a sign on his desk reading “no indoctrination of our children,” reported the Fresno Bee.
“(The library) should never be about promoting a political agenda for indoctrinating young, innocent, and very impressionable children who accept the lifestyle or political agenda they have absolutely no business promoting,” Bredefeld said before the vote.
Bredefeld pushed Policy 80 last year, governing which holiday celebrations can be recognized with county funding and employee time, and said then he hoped supervisors would remove support for Pride Month, which he described as “indoctrination” pushing a “political ideology.”
Supervisor Luis Chavez voted to approve library participation.
“I do think there’s value in our library attending these events and making sure that folks have access to our library services,” Chavez said. “They pay taxes, they also participate in our community.”
County Librarian Sally Gomez said Fresno County Library participates in invited events throughout the year and could not recall any recent event staff did not attend based on subject matter.
County counsel Doug Sloan said supervisors can prevent staff from participating in Pride events and regulate some displays outside books, but state law gives library staff authority over how books are displayed, and supervisors cannot ban books.
Several public speakers opposed Pride displays, arguing LGBTQ+ themed books and materials displayed during Pride Month were “in my face.”
Bredefeld also criticized LGBTQ+ themed bookmarks distributed by libraries, saying they promoted indoctrination, and suggested the county could consider privatizing the library.
“I wouldn’t call it advocacy or an agenda,” Gomez said. “I think it’s representation for the students.”
Meanwhile, critics on X unleashed sharp criticism at Bredefeld and the board’s decision.
One user wrote, “LGBTQ kids aren’t going away, and you don’t reflect California values, which include tolerance.”
“You’re full of hate and vitriol… Absolutely pathetic. You’re an embarrassment to the city of Fresno,” added another.
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