Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 11, 1993 TAG: 9302110219
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B7 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRFAX LENGTH: Medium
LIBRARY IN FLAP OVER CHRISTIAN, GAY HANDOUTS
Some library patrons have complained that free publications aimed at homosexuals and fundamental Christians should not be offered in Fairfax County libraries.The Washington Blade and The Gabriel Express are among about 10 free broadsheets and magazines available in county libraries.
The county Library Board will consider complaints from people who don't like the gay-oriented Blade, said library spokeswoman Georgette Blanchfield.
"I can't think of a handout that has generated that much concern," she said.
The Library Board heard complaints about The Gabriel Express last summer, but has not removed it from libraries, she said.
The board will consider dropping all free handouts because of the complaints, Blanchfield said.
The Blade has been offered in Washington-area libraries for more than six years with only scattered complaints, said Publisher Don Michaels. In December, Michaels got permission to place about 25 copies of the weekly in each of Fairfax's 22 branch libraries.
Some of the complaints about the Blade concerned an article that used technical terms for male genitalia and body parts.
"If you allow such material to be available to the public you risk opening the flood gates of evil. Next it will be a paper put out by child molesters, or rapists or satanists," wrote Joyce B. Kubitz in a letter to the board.
Board Chairman Phylis Salak said she has received 15 letters complaining that the Blade is inappropriate for libraries.
Fewer people complained about the Christian paper, but its opponents also said the paper is inappropriate.
"I feel that we have just as much right to be there as they do," said Michaels.
Galen Danis, publisher of The Gabriel Express, said the paper is appropriate for libraries and that he has no plans to remove it.