LAFAYETTE, La. (Amanda McElfresh/The Advertiser)- The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit alleging that the Lafayette Public Library has effectively banned any drag queen story time events.
According to the suit, the library requires anyone who seeks to use library meeting rooms to sign a form pledging that they will not use the space for drag queen story time purposes.
The suit alleges that two people, Aimee Robinson and Matthew Humphrey, each tried to reserve a room at the library to plan a drag queen story time event, The Advertiser reported. The suit alleges they were asked to sign forms saying they would not use the space for such purposes.
The suit alleges this is an infringement on First Amendment rights.
Earlier this year, the library announced plans to host a drag queen story time for children and their families. The plans sparked widespread controversy in the community. Organizers planned to move the event to South Louisiana Community College, but the college backed out two days before the scheduled event, citing logistical and safety concerns.
We have recently been made aware of new filings by the ACLU in the already pending lawsuit,” Library Director Teresa Elberson said in an email Friday. “Our attorneys are aware of these new filings, and since this remains part of pending litigation that is rapidly evolving, we cannot comment at this time.”