We’ve previously shared that IDEAL was founded in Spring 2019, in response to anti-LGBTQ sentiment that erupted around an event at the Leander Library.
Below are a few of the links to learn more.
May 2019
- City cancels Drag Queen Story Hour event at Leander Public Library (Hill Country News, May 23, 2019)
- Library Programming Update (City of Leander, May 23, 2019)
- City responds to controversial library Drag Queen Story Time cancellation (Hill Country News, May 24, 2019)
- Leander Public Library will be closed Saturday for ‘Drag Queen Story Hour’ (KVUE, May 25, 2019)
June 2019
- City officials canceled a children’s story time hosted by drag queens. Then a church saved the day. (Washington Post, June 11, 2019)
- Church changes Drag Queen Story Time event to Leander Family Pride Festival and Story Time (Hill Country News, June 14, 2019)
- LGBTQ Story Hour at Leander Library draws 200 protesters, supporters (Statesman, June 15, 2019)
- Nearly 300 people demonstrate outside LGBTQ story time at Leander Public Library (KXAN, June 15, 2019)
- Protesters Descend on Leander Family Pride Event (Austin Chronicle, June 15, 2019)
July 2019
- After protest, Leander Library halts all room rentals pending policy review (Hill Country News, July 5, 2019)
- Leander Public Library abruptly cancels appearance of popular comic author (Hill Country News, July 10, 2019)
- Lila Sturges Comments (Twitter/@LilahSturges, July 11, 2019)
- Agenda item 18: Review Citizen Survey results, discuss City staff costs as related to the Story Time Program, provide direction for expansion of Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and approve revised/updated City of Leander Library policies and procedures and related items. (Leander City Council, July 18, 2019)
- As Leander Council votes no action on library policy, city faces discrimination, censorship allegations (Hill Country News, July 19, 2019)
August 2019
- Neil Gaiman Comments (Twitter/@neilhimself, August 7, 2019)
- Transgender author’s cancellation draws national ire (Hill Country News, August 15, 2019)
- Agenda items 33-35: Discuss and consider action on Leander Library Policies (Leander City Council, August 15, 2019)
- Leander Council ends public library room rentals after protest against LGBTQA festival (Hill Country News, August 16, 2019)
- Fallout Continues Over Leander Library’s Drag Story Hour (Austin Chronicle, August 16, 2020)
September 2019
- Proposed public comment rules generate controversy (Hill Country News, September 25, 2019)
October 2019
- Peaceful Pride Storytime provides welcome contrast to library controversy (Hill Country News, October 13, 2019)
- Leander Public Library Director Priscilla Donovan vacating position (Hill Country News, October 30, 2019)
- Head of Leander Library leaving; supporters blame drag queen event (Statesman, October 31, 2019)
November 2019
- Leander Council adopts fees for open record requests (Hill Country News, November 12, 2019)