Safety concerns have forced library trustees in Lancaster to cancel a planned drag queen story hour.White Mountains Pride was planning to host the story hour this Sunday at Weeks Memorial Library.Some community members have been speaking out against the event for weeks. An online petition opposing the event has more than 500 signatures.Linda Hutchins, board chair of Weeks Memorial Library, said the library has a non-discrimination policy when it comes to renting out their room, but when they started receiving violent threats and word of multiple protests, safety became a top priority.“What started out to be a simple thing, the rental of the room, just became so ugly that it, it’s sad,” Hutchins said. “We are more concerned about the safety of the LGBTQ community or those who don’t know where they fit into the community and would’ve appreciated the opportunity to present this program to those people so that they could’ve felt safe,” Christopher Bellis, White Mountains Pride president said.Leaders with White Mountains Pride said they’re disappointed with the library’s decision, but they plan to work with town leaders to bring another event to the area.Other top headlines:Political experts say Trump indictment impact ‘not good’ for campaign; NH politicians reactFamily of Rochester woman killed in hit-and-run hold vigil in her memoryFormer New Hampshire bus driver pleads guilty to stalking 8-year-old boy
LANCASTER, N.H. —
Safety concerns have forced library trustees in Lancaster to cancel a planned drag queen story hour.
White Mountains Pride was planning to host the story hour this Sunday at Weeks Memorial Library.
Some community members have been speaking out against the event for weeks. An online petition opposing the event has more than 500 signatures.
Linda Hutchins, board chair of Weeks Memorial Library, said the library has a non-discrimination policy when it comes to renting out their room, but when they started receiving violent threats and word of multiple protests, safety became a top priority.
“What started out to be a simple thing, the rental of the room, just became so ugly that it, it’s sad,” Hutchins said.
“We are more concerned about the safety of the LGBTQ community or those who don’t know where they fit into the community and would’ve appreciated the opportunity to present this program to those people so that they could’ve felt safe,” Christopher Bellis, White Mountains Pride president said.
Leaders with White Mountains Pride said they’re disappointed with the library’s decision, but they plan to work with town leaders to bring another event to the area.
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