Dad Wants $20K, Says Lesbian Book Disturbed Teens

[karyn]

from channel 2

Man Says Lesbian Book Caused 'Sleepless Nights'

POSTED: 6:21 pm EDT April 21, 2007

A Bentonville, Ark., man is seeking $20,000 from the city after his two teenage sons found a book on lesbian sex on a public library bookshelf.

He also wants the library director fired.

Earl Adams said his 14- and 16-year-old sons were "greatly disturbed" after finding the book, titled "The Whole Lesbian Sex Book." Adams said the book caused "many sleepless nights in our house."

Adams said the book is "patently offensive and lacks any artistic, literary or scientific value," according to a letter he faxed to Mayor Bob McCaslin. He said the teenagers found it while browsing for material on military academies.

Adams wants the city to pay $10,000 to each of his sons. That's the maximum allowed under the Arkansas obscenity law. However, the city's attorney dismissed Adams' claim as baseless. She said the book is not pornographic.

"There is not a valid legal concern here," Camille Thompson said. "In fact, (the request for money) made me question his motivation."

The library's advisory board voted earlier this month to remove the book from circulation. Board member George Spence said he found the book crude, but said it could be replaced with one taking a "more sensitive, more clinical approach."

In an e-mail Thursday, Adams said that "God was speaking to my heart that day and helped me find the words that proved successful in removing this book from the shelf."

He said he would fight any effort to put the book back on shelves.

"Any effort to reinstate the book will be met with legal action and protests from the Christian community," Adams wrote in the e-mail.

The book, by Felice Newman, is a sex guide deemed suitable for all public libraries, according to the Library Journal, which the Bentonville library uses to decide what to place on its shelves.

Suter said the library aims to have books and other materials to serve a diverse group of library users.

[Mr Karl]

"many sleepless nights" is sort of relative

[Lady Alias]

He said the teenagers found it while browsing for material on military academies.

I know, so annoying, right? Whenever you look up that kinda stuff, there's always those lesbian books smack in the middle of them! Terrible!

[Velvet-Tongue]

"dad...the Girls....they Kiss!? Whyyyy"

[inox]

So, this is the book.

It actually seems more like a book that your average high school boy could probably benefit from by reading.

Perhaps they were sleepless because seeing all those illustrations of women just led them to realize that they were gay. I'm sure their father will be understanding, though.

[Toe Cutter]

"many sleepless nights in our house."

... and many hours spent locked in the bathroom... That dad is a retard.

[Bondage Clown]

That has got to be the most idiotic thing i have ever heard someone suing over... That is a Frivolous lawsuit if i ever heard of one!!!!

I hope they laugh him out o f the courtroom

[seeker]

I like this ", Adams said that "God was speaking to my heart that day and helped me find the words that proved successful in removing this book from the shelf."".

Why is it that you have to hear a god to believe your actions are ok. If others claimed a god was speaking to them they would get medical or psychological assistance; if lucky.

[Bondage Clown]

Wait.. I just got a message from God...

"Yes God, I will tell them"


God wanted me to tell you all.. that when Judgement day comes.. he is going ot leave all of us behind... I say PARTY!!!!!!

[Annabel Elaine]

They sooooooooooo wern't in the millitary section...