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Iowa library considers options after burning of LGBTQ books

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October 29th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

ORANGE CITY, Iowa (AP) — Library officials in northwest Iowa are deciding how to respond after a religious activist burned four LGBTQ children’s books. Orange City library director Amanda Vazquez tells The Sioux City Journal that officials aren’t sure if they’ll replace the destroyed books, which include David Levithan’s “Two Boys Kissing.” Paul Dorr is the director of religious group Rescue the Perishing. He released a nearly 30 minute video on Facebook Live where he denounced the library for having the LGBTQ books and threw them in a burning barrel. The video was made on Oct. 19, the first day of the city’s gay pride festival.

Vazquez says the library will follow official policy regarding stolen or lost books. Dorr could be charged with misdemeanor fifth-degree theft if he doesn’t respond to the library’s fine.