Paul Cohen's Letter to the Editor with All Comments

Objects to ‘Joy of Gay Sex’
By Paul Cohen, 413 1/2 N. Beattie St. - 08/17/08

When I saw The Joy of Gay Sex on the Helena Public Library’s “New” bookshelf, I wondered, “What are they presenting to the children of our community?” It was worse than I expected. This book is full of explicit drawings of male homosexual acts of every kind imaginable.

I submitted paperwork for removal. After review, four library professionals decided to keep this pornography on the shelves, approved by the library director. If I were to hand this same book to your child on the sidewalk outside the library, I would be arrested (as well I should be). These professionals, however, say: “It is our obligation to provide information to all segments of society. The library does not act in loco parentis and does not discriminate on the basis of age or sex.”

That makes it our responsibility to present sane reasoning for the removal of this book (or any other like it) on behalf of those unwilling or unable. With the library absconding, the public must play the part of discriminatory, responsible parents. I will present on this matter at the public board meeting on Monday, August 25th, at 5:00 PM at the Small Meeting Room at the library.

Comments:

mama2 wrote:

Wow! That is unbelievable to me. =( I am very disappointed that the library has chosen to supply a book like that.

MTRICH wrote:

I assume the library also has books on the Karma Sutra available as well and I doubt this book is any more graphic. I only ask that these books not be available to children. There are laws against pornagraphy being available to children and I know of no exception for Libraries.

barest wrote:

So if the library is allowing the "Joy of Gay Sex", then I WANT the joy of heterosexual sex....like that would e ver happen. Isn't is discrimination to all the heterosexuals if this book is not allowed for us to read.

I say take the DAM* book off the shelf. My kid sure as heck does NOT need to see this. If the library is going to allow this then why not have a "red light district" in the library.

This book should never have been bought and put in the library. It is meant to BUY at a bookstore...not READ in the vicinity of innocent children or to be taken out and the possiblity of a child even seeing it. It would be like me taking a vibrator and putting it on a shelf for "self-help" books with a "do-it yourself" video.

clearwaterMT wrote:

What Mr. Cohen doesn't explain is how he's had to go back, day after day, to check on the status of the book. Something about it that he just can't seem to shake.

PaulCohen wrote:

"Doesn't explain"? First, I was not called on to explain, and second, Clearwater's description of what I have been doing is grossly and maliciously misleading.

I first saw the book over six months ago on the "New" bookshelf and did not check its status until the library notified me of its upcoming board meeting about a month ago. Since then, I have checked the status of the book three times, thinking of possibly having it available at the board meeting if there are those who think I exaggerate its pornographic content.

My questions for Clearwater: What is your explanation for stalking my activities? Are you a library employee? If so, does your employer approve your reporting to the public what library clients are doing? How about identifying yourself, Gross Exaggerator, Anonymous Accuser, and Rumormonger?

It is good for everyone to be aware of the tactics of those who try to avoid the issue at hand by drawing attention to where there is no issue.

Come to the meeting on August 25th where you can hear the rest of my explanations.

Click HERE to go back to "The Joy of Gay Sex?"