Missouri GOP Threatens Funding for Columbia Library's LGBTQ Story Time
The Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, Missouri, hosted an LGBTQ‑focused "Rainbow Story Time" event for toddlers and preschoolers on a Saturday in late July. About 150 attendees participated, and the program featured two picture books – "Rainbowsaurus" by Steve Antony and "Big Wig" by Jonathan Hillman – along with songs and rainbow‑colored scarves.
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins warned the library that the event could be deemed inappropriate for children and said he would pursue legislation to block state and federal funding for such programming. State Senator Rick Brattin, chair of the Senate Education Committee, filed a Sunshine Law request seeking emails, advertisements, personnel records and spending information tied to the event. Attorney General Catherine Hanaway also sent a letter warning that providing minors with pornographic material is illegal and could jeopardise the library’s funding. Library officials responded that the event cost under $30 and contained no sexual content. The controversy sparked criticism from residents and heightened debate over LGBTQ‑related content in publicly funded institutions.
Entities: Catherine Hanaway · Columbia, Missouri · Daniel Boone Regional Library · Daniel Boone Regional Library · Denny Hoskins · Rick Brattin · Robin Westphal
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Library officials said the story time event cost less than $30 and contained no sexual content. (multiple)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Around 150 people attended the story time event. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins threatened to block state and federal funding for the library because of the event. (multiple)
- [● 2 SOURCES] State Senator Rick Brattin filed a Sunshine Law request for records related to the story time event. (multiple)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia, Missouri, held an LGBTQ‑themed story time event for toddlers and preschoolers on a Saturday in late July. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The event featured two books, “Rainbowsaurus” by Steve Antony and “Big Wig” by Jonathan Hillman. (multiple)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway sent a threatening letter warning that the library could lose funding for providing minors with pornographic material. (multiple)