Gay-lesbian titles donated to Wasilla Library

WASILLA — Responding to news reports about then-Wasilla Mayor Sarah Palin asking a librarian how she would feel about banning books, a San Francisco man has donated two children’s books dealing with homosexuality to the Wasilla Library.

Mike Petrelis, a 49-year-old who files Freedom of Information requests for a living, said he was aghast to read reports of Palin’s 1996 inquiry about banning certain books at Wasilla’s library.

The news — old news in the Mat-Su Valley, but new in the Lower 48 — prompted Petrelis to send to Wasilla “Heather Has Two Mommies” and “Daddy’s Roommate,” both children’s books that explain gay lifestyle.

“I said, ‘I’m going to send copies of both books just to make sure they’re on the shelves,’” Petrelis said.

The story of Palin’s book removal question caught national attention after reporters arrived in town to probe Palin following Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain’s surprise Aug. 29 announcement. In the ensuing barrage of media attention on Wasilla, the inquiry as to the librarian’s feelings on pulling some books became one of the many old Palin stories that suddenly became new again when it reached the Lower 48.

There is no evidence that Palin ever banned any books from the library, although many Outside media outlets have incorrectly reported to the contrary. One book with which Palin reportedly had a problem was  “Pastor, I am Gay,” by Howard Bess, a Valley resident and now-retired minister of the Church of the Covenant in Palmer.

Still, to Petrelis, Palin’s asking about removing books from the shelves was an attempt at censorship.

Whether “Heather Has Two Mommies” or “Daddy’s Roommate” will make it onto the shelves of the Wasilla Public Library is unclear.

Library Director KJ Martin-Albright said she has received the books but, like any donation, they have to go through a process that determines what to do with them.

There are two options for donations, she said. Either the library puts the book on the shelves or gives it to Friends of the Library to be sold. Martin-Albright said factors such as the author’s reputation, importance of the subject matter to the library’s collection, space availability in the library and a litany of other factors are used to determine the fate of donated materials.

As of Monday, there is no timeline for when a decision on the books Petrelis sent will be made, and Martin-Albright stressed every donated book goes through the same process.

“It’s the only way to be fair,” she said.

Petrelis’ idea to send the books seems to be well received in Alaska’s gay community. Bent Alaska, a blog chronicling gay news and events in the state, praises the donation on its Web site.

Tim Stallard, owner of Out in Alaska, a gay and lesbian guide service, said he thinks Petrelis’s effort is well-placed.

“I think it’s a good statement,” Stallard said. “I think in a free society like ours, openness and education and information are always important.”

Stallard added the timing is right after the Wasilla Public Library was thrust into the spotlight when Palin was named to the Republican ticket.

For Petrelis, his timing is even better because Banned Books Week, the American Library Association’s celebration of the freedom to read, begins Sept. 27. And more books dealing with homosexuality could be donated to Wasilla library soon. On his blog, Petrelis Files, Petrelis said he hopes to donate another gay-themed book, “And Tango Makes Three,” to the library.

Petrelis said while a book like “Heather Has Two Mommies” may not show a lot of circulation, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not being read.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.