FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — The Fresno County Board of Supervisors has blocked Fresno County libraries from participating in Pride Month activities.
The vote, brought forth by Supervisor Garry Bredefeld, passed on Tuesday morning with support from supervisors Nathan Magsig and Buddy Mendes. Supervisors Luis Chavez and Brian Pacheco voted against the motion.
In a social media post made by Bredefeld last week, he wrote in part that “the Board of Supervisors will be asked by the Fresno County Library to approve and support their ongoing efforts to indoctrinate young children regarding the LGBTQ political agenda,” adding that he “will fight against what the library is doing.”
The supervisor added that there is no plan to ban or remove Pride-themed books from county libraries.
Bredefeld defended his position in an interview with Action News on Monday, saying children should be able to access library materials without exposure to what he described as political ideology.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fresno County Board of Supervisors to consider Pride Month activities at local libraries
Advocates have pushed back on that characterization, calling it an “attack on queer and transgender youth” as well as “bullying.”
Last year, supervisors passed a policy requiring county departments to obtain board approval to sponsor events. The board also approved a motion requiring other celebrations or recognitions to receive approval.
