Parents Protest Keeping Pro-Homosexual Book on School Shelf

by Jim Brown
April 8, 2004

(AgapePress) - A Christian couple in Wilmington, North Carolina, is urging other parents to speak out against inappropriate books in public school libraries.

Channing and Beth Hatcher recently filed a complaint with their daughter's elementary school after learning that a book promoting homosexual marriage was in the school library's collection. The complaint prompted a school committee to vote in favor of keeping King & King off limits to students but available to their parents.

The book, which was written for children and colorfully illustrated, features two princes who get married and share a kiss at the story's end. (See Earlier Story)

Mr. Hatcher says he found it strange that the school librarian mediated a school committee meeting that decided the book's fate. "I do think that the school needs to hold personnel accountable when they order things like this," he says, "and make sure that the material is screened more thoroughly than just [allowing someone to order] a book and having no idea what is in it."

And Mrs. Hatcher says she is troubled that the book had been checked out 25 times before someone complained to the school. "I would hope and pray that they would just be more aware of what they allow to go on the shelves, considering what did happen," she says.

The North Carolina mother believes it is important for parents to put their concerns in writing. She wonders whether the minimal response to King & King figured into the school's decision to retain the book and merely restrict access to it. "I could be wrong," she says, "but I just think if a lot more parents had turned in complaint forms, it's possible the book would have been removed from the school."

Perhaps the parents can look upon the committee's decision as a qualified victory. Both Mrs. Hatcher and her husband say they are confident the school will not order a book like King & King again.