When a Library Refused to Carry LGBTQ Books, Willie Carver Started His Own
Metro Weekly. “They would share with each other like a little underground network.”The students asked Carver to help establish a library so others could access the books.“It was such a beautiful moment where I could hear young people understanding the importance of books, who want to help other people,” he says.Together, Carver and the students applied for an “It Gets Better” grant and received $4,000 to build the inclusive library.After hearing an LGBTQ student at a neighboring school committed suicide, the students donated half of the grant to build a second library in their honor.With the remainder of the grant, Carver and the students worked with a local bookstore to curate a list of titles.
Carver reached out to the Montgomery County High School’s library with the list of curated titles and a note describing how they wanted to donate these books to the library. “If there’s a single issue, if there’s a title that you have a problem with, let us know,” he told the library’s administration.After months of no response, Carver received an email stating that every title had been rejected by the library.
None of the selected titles would be allowed inside its walls.Carver and the students regrouped, finding a new home for the books at the Gateway Regional Art Center.
They are now raising funds through a GoFundMe page to expand the makeshift library. So far, they’ve raised $4,200 on a $6,000 goal.Books are available to everyone in person for browsing when the art center is open.
