HELENA, Mont. – The Lewis and Clark Public Library in Helena, Mont., has voted to keep on the shelves a book about gay sex.
The book is titled "The Joy of Gay Sex." Board chairwoman Carole Byrnes acknowledges the book includes graphic pictures and descriptions but said she views it as an instructional, education manual that shouldn't be censored.
Helena resident Paul Cohen requested that the book be removed. He described it as "pornographic" and said the library was negligent in providing a "safe place" for children and adolescents.
The library's collection review committee recommended keeping the book, and Director Judy Hart agreed. She said it was the library's obligation to provide information to all elements of society.
But Cohen challenged the decision, and the library held a public hearing in September. The board received and reviewed about 200 written submissions on the matter.
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