TENNERTON — The Upshur County Public Library Board is scheduled to review a controversial book that promotes homosexuality to children, after an elementary school student discovered the book last week. Prince and Knight, authored by Daniel Haack, features two homosexual men and their journey to find “true love.”
The summary of the book reads:
In a kingdom far from here, there was a prince who would soon take the throne, so his parents took him on a search for a bride. They traveled the land far and wide, but the prince was looking for something different in a partner…
The book was published in affiliation with Bonnier Publishing USA and GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation), which is an LGBT activist organization that seeks to normalize homosexual behavior in all facets of life. On the back of the book, the affiliation label reads, “A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to accelerating LGBT acceptance.”
According to the Huffington Post, GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis expressed the partnership was part of her organization’s goal of “advancing positive representation of LGBTQ lives, experiences, and stories at every stage of our lives.” Books, she said in the statement, “are a natural progression to encourage awareness, kindness, and acceptance at an early age.”
Calvary Chapel Mountain Highlands Pastor Josh Layfield issued a statement on social media pertaining to the issue.
“I met with the Library Director and informed him of my concerns. He has removed it from the shelves waiting to meet with the board for the final decision. This is of great concern for everyone in this community,” Pastor Layfield expressed. “As a father of four boys, I know my boys love princes, kings, and rulers. They love knights in shining armor and they emulate these men by acting them out in play. This book is a deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children, especially boys, into the LGBTQA lifestyle. This book is deliberately appealing to their imagination, creativity, and their innocence when they still think girls have “cooties”. Children’s books, which are promoted by the state and put into circulation by taxpayer funds, should remain innocent. Unfortunately, this is an intentional leading of children into sin and parents and citizens within this community must be mindful of what is happening.”
“For the offended: please know that you are radically loved by a Holy God who wants to set you free from sin. He has died for you and he longs to have an eternal relationship with you. You can have this if you simply humble your heart and repent. I am aware that there will be some offended at the actions of removing the book from the children’s section. I am also aware that you will be upset, emotionally charged by the fact that I think it necessary for parents and citizens to guard their children from such indoctrination. I know you will be tempted, and even given into such temptation to throw insults at me and those who believe like me. I want you to know, however, that you are loved by the God of the Bible who has standards and is Holy. He came in the flesh to free you from your sins. I am praying that your eyes are opened and you put off the darkness and step into the light.”
Buckhannon Pride, which serves as Upshur County’s local LGBT activist organization, also made a statement.
“It has been brought to our attention that our public library plans to take a book out of circulation due to LGBTQ+ content after receiving a complaint from a church. Yet they don’t seem to have an issue accepting taxes from the LGBTQ+ community.”
Many residents are also arguing that because the Upshur County Library is financed by local tax dollars, children’s books depicting controversial and suggestive material should not be available, as a majority of Upshur County taxpayers feel such material is not suitable for children.
The review will be conducted during the November 20, 2019, board meeting at 4:00 pm. Library Director Paul Norko told Mountaineer Journal, verbal public comments will not be allowed; however, the public may submit their comments in writing prior to the meeting.
The Upshur County Public Library has not yet made a public comment.