The Alabama legislature is considering a bill, HB385, that would classify certain sexual content as obscene and make it a crime for school or public librarians to allow it in their libraries. The bill, supported by 31 legislators, would hold librarians liable for any material deemed inappropriate. This includes scenes of sexual intercourse, masturbation, and other explicit acts. The bill also seeks to ban drag shows in libraries and other public places, defining them as lewd or lascivious. Many argue that the bill goes too far and is an attack on free speech and parental rights. Critics point out the hypocrisy in targeting libraries while ignoring real health issues like teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in the state. The Alabama Library Association has spoken out against the bill, stating that it threatens everything from sex education books to religious texts like the Bible. The bill’s broad definition of obscenity disregards context and undermines the role of librarians in providing access to information. This crackdown on thought and expression has raised concerns about censorship and fear-mongering among lawmakers. The bill’s attempt to control what individuals can read or see undermines the fundamental principles of a free society. John Archibald, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, has criticized the bill as an affront to intellectual freedom and an attack on librarians.
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