NEWARK - An event designed to celebrate Newark's Pride Day at the Licking County Library has been canceled after drawing public backlash.

According to the Licking County Library System's calendar, the event, called "A Universe of Stories - Galaxy of Diversity," was scheduled after-hours on June 7 at the Newark library branch. Event details show the event, aimed at teens, offering a drag queen celestial makeup tutorial, flag button and rainbow wing crafts, a safe-sex program from Equitas Health and games.

Newark will be hosting its second PRIDE festival next weekend.

After the library event drew public backlash on social media, Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, R-Glenford, penned a letter to the Licking County Library System opposing the event. In the letter, Householder said when he was first informed of an event at the library to teach teen boys how to become drag queens, he thought it was a joke.

"But the joke is apparently on the taxpayers, who fund our libraries," Householder wrote. "This is a stunningly bizarre breach of the public trust. And it must stop."

Householder, who represents part of Licking County, later wrote his letter wasn't about banning books or thought, but rather about right versus wrong.

"Our libraries are an incubator for thought and ideas, for debate and discussion. On this point, we can all agree," Householder wrote. "But I can also assure you the taxpayers aren't interested in seeing their hard-earned dollars being used to teach teenage boys how to become drag queens. I expect this to end immediately."

In response to Householder's letter, the Newark Ohio Pride Coalition wrote a response, saying while they appreciate Householder's concern over the use of public funding, the event was fully funded by an independent grant.

"We are also interested in our local library using public resources to support their robust programming," the organization wrote. "With that in mind, we decided to fully fund this program for the teenagers in our community, rather than expecting the Licking County Library to do so."

In the letter, the Newark Ohio Pride Coalition explained the event was aimed at celebrating "the individuality of our local LGBTQ+ and allied teens" in preparation for the Newark Ohio Pride Festival scheduled for the following day. In addition to an optional make-up tutorial and arts and crafts, the group said the event intended to facilitate an educational, public health component in the form of a safer sex program.

"...We would like to conclude our statement by publicly asking Speaker Larry Householder to respect the civil liberties of Newark, Ohio's residents," the group wrote. "We also ask that, in the future, Speaker Householder take the time to gather accurate facts, prior to issuing a factually inaccurate response to a program hosted by and for our community."

By late Friday, the Newark Ohio Pride Coalition announced the Licking County Library System cancelled the LGBTQ teen event "due to pressure from state-wide elected officials."

Licking County Library Director Babette Wofter said it became too difficult for their organization to control the misinformation surrounding the event, so she thought it best to cancel it.

"The library is embedded in the community. We participate in a lot of different organizations and groups," Wofter said. "We try to be in every facet of the community and the library is open and welcoming to all. That's what public library service, to me, is all about"

Wofter added the event was to be funded by a grant from the Newark Ohio Pride Coalition based on a community request.

The Newark Ohio Pride Coalition announced they will be holding the program at another location that is to be determined.

Earlier this month, WBNS 10TV reported a scheduled class titled "Drag 101" was moved from the Delaware County Library to another location after the woman set to teach the class received death threats.

A copy of Householder's letter, posted to his Facebook account on Friday afternoon, drew more than 900 comments and more than 200 shares Friday night. Comments on the post varied, with some supporting such programs at the local library and others supporting Householder's stance.

Householder could not be reached for comment.

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