WEST FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) - Two state legislators from West Fargo have questioned a book prominently displayed at the West Fargo Public Library.
"Beyond Trans: Does Gender Matter?" and several other books on the subject of LGBT are among those on the library's "new books" display. The author questions the need to identify people with sex categories and to re-think sex classification systems, offering recommendations for ending sex identity discrimination.
Representatives Ben Koppelman and Chris Olson, contacted by constituents not happy about the display, said in emails obtained by KFGO, that the display and a Facebook posting by library staff of "Trans" as a "good read," are not something a public institution should promote.
Representative Olson calls the concept "radical, hardline sexual ideology." He does not consider this attempt at censorship. He says he doesn't "necessarily have a problem" with the book in the library but promotion should not be done at taxpayer expense.
In an email to Koppelman, Library Director Sandra Hannahs said the LGBT material is not sensationalized and is not intended to judge or promote, but to inform. Hannahs also wrote that recognizing the "conservative mindset" of West Fargo, it was "insensitive" for the the library to promote the book on Facebook and that she talked with staff about the importance of what she called "greater thoughtfullness and respect to the community" in social mediums like Facebook.
Hannahs told KFGO News, despite the lawmakers criticism, she has not removed the books from public display.