Sarah Palin library scandal included second gay book: ‘Daddy’s Roommate’
The new mayor also tended carefully to her evangelical base…. And she began to eye the library. For years, social conservatives had pressed the library director to remove books they considered immoral.
“People would bring books back censored,” recalled former Mayor John Stein, Ms. Palin’s predecessor. “Pages would get marked up or torn out….”
[In] 1995, Ms. Palin, then a city councilwoman, told colleagues that she had noticed the book “Daddy’s Roommate” on the shelves and that it did not belong there, according to Ms. Chase and Mr. Stein.
Ms. [Laura] Chase read the book, which helps children understand homosexuality, and said it was inoffensive; she suggested that Ms. Palin read it.
“Sarah said she didn’t need to read that stuff,” Ms. Chase said. “It was disturbing that someone would be willing to remove a book from the library and she didn’t even read it.”
Portion of a New York Times article examining the history of controversial Vice Presidential candidate, Sarah Palin, who is also the Republican Governor of Alaska but previously served as Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska and as a city councilwoman. Laura Chase, who is mentioned in the article, was the campaign manager for Sarah Palin’s first run for mayor in 1996. It has been widely reported that as Mayor, she looked into banning books at the small town’s library, allegedly targeting a specific gay-friendly book called, “Pastor, I Am Gay.” This new book of interest, “Daddy’s Roommate,” is an illustrated book for children designed to help them understand gay relationships, and at one time this book was the target of many protests by fundamentalist Christians. (New York Times)
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
