Five weeks after Rev. Robert Jeffress refused to return the Wichita Falls (Tex.) Public Library copies of Daddy's Roommate and Heather Has Two Mommies given to him by disapproving parishioners, the library advisory board has decided to keep the books on the shelves. However, Director Linda Hughes told American Libraries that staff have moved the titles from the picture-book section to juvenile social studies.
Officials say more children than ever have been searching out the books depicting gay and lesbian lifestyles. On June 8 the library had almost 200 requests for the titles, the June 29 Wichita Falls Times Record News reported; 80% of them came from the children's room. Before the months-long battle with religious leaders, patrons had requested the books only six times in two years.
Upping the ante in his June 28 sermon, Jeffress exhorted First Baptist Church parishioners to "vote out the infidels who would deny God and his word" and vowed to continue his fight.
Posted July 6, 1998.