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Homosexual Library with Hard-Core Porn Opens on Public City Property

Mayor: "I fear that we're the first city that has a hard-core porn collection in our public library."

By Elizabeth O'Brien

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, July 11, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Following a heated controversy between Mayor Jim Naugle and members of the homosexual community last week, the city commission approved the opening of a gay and lesbian library on public property.

The commissioners voted 3-2 yesterday to allow the Stonewall Library collection of gay and lesbian materials to be moved from its present location at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center to the more spacious, county-run ArtSpace library at Holiday Park.

Jack Rutland, Executive Director of the Stonewall Library and Archives, told LifeSiteNews.com that the 20,000-volume library, which has been in existence for 35 years, is the largest circulating gay and lesbian library in the country. It also has a huge historical archive that is accessible by appointment only because of its adult content. Listing the library's content, he stated, "Literature, history, religion, psychology, law, fine art-you name it, if it relates to the lives of gay or lesbian people, we have it."

According to Rutland, the library has a policy allowing only people of 18 years and older to use the library because it contains adult material. He stated that it is becoming "a public networking area which sponsors programs, speakers, exhibitions, art openings, book discussion groups, film series." The number of people who attend these events is also growing larger.

Mayor Naugle, who voted against the library along with Commissioner Christine Teel, was already under fire for comments he made last week that sparked homosexual activists to a fury. On July 4 the Miami Herald published an interview with the mayor regarding the proposal of a new robotic toilet to be installed along the Florida beaches. The facility would have a security feature limiting occupant time by automatically opening its doors after a certain period. Naugle supported the new idea, saying, "Sometimes (public washrooms) are used for sexual activity-most of it is men meeting men because it's same-sex people in the bathrooms."
Naugle also made the following comment, "I don't use the word 'gay.' I use the word 'homosexual.' Most of them aren't gay. They're unhappy."

Naugle regretted the fact that the proposal for the new library came at such an inopportune time. He stated, "I had no idea this was what the homosexual book collection was all about. It's a shame it had to come out during this whole toilet controversy. They'll think it's some anti-gay thing-um, anti-homosexual."

Mayor Naugle told LifeSiteNews.com that he opposed the project for two reasons. "Number one the city needs the space," he said. Secondly, the morning of the vote, it came to his attention that the Stonewall collection contained hard-core pornographic material depicting men committing anal intercourse. He commented, "I fear that we're the first city that has a hard-core porn collection in our public library." In addition, "it is housed in our main children's park."

He concludes, "I'm shocked that a commission majority has approved it and I'm hoping that they'll reconsider, but we'll have to see." Although the library will not be moving within the near future, it will likely open before the end of the year.

To respectfully voice concerns, please contact the city commissioners:
City Hall
100 North Andrews Avenue                 
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301               
Tel. (954) 828-5003/5004               

Email: 

Mayor Jim Naugle: . 
Commissioner Christine Teel: .     
Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson: .
Commissioner Charlotte E. Rodstrom: .
Commissioner Carlton B. Moore: .

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