Library Staffer Says She Was Reprimanded for Discussing Gay Rights Case
The American Civil Liberties Union has taken up the cause of a staffer at the Topeka–Shawnee County (Kans.) Public Library who says she was reprimanded for talking about gay rights at work after the Supreme Court’s ruling last month striking down sodomy laws.
Bonnie Cuevas, an events coordinator for the library, said two administrators prohibited her from discussing gay rights at work after they had received a complaint from a staff member who felt the subject was creating a hostile work environment, the Associated Press reported July 16. Cuevas, a board member of the Kansas Unity and Pride Alliance who has a gay son, had spoken by telephone to a reporter from USA Today and had received brief calls from supporters, as well as discussing the case with a coworker.
The ACLU sent a letter to the library July 16 asking officials to reconsider their order to Cuevas. “It’s against the law for a public employer to prevent employees from talking about pressing social issues at work if it’s not keeping them or their coworkers from doing their jobs,” said Ken Choe, a staff attorney with the ACLU's Lesbian and Gay Rights Project.
Library Director David Leamon told American Libraries that he could not comment on the matter due to the possibility of litigation, other than stating, “This is a library policy issue; it has nothing to do with free speech.” Earlier, Leamon told the AP that staff had complained that Cuevas’s frequent, impassioned telephone conversations about the issue were disruptive. Although he said he was unfamiliar with the situation since he had just returned from vacation, he denied that the library took stands on issues. “We never issue gag orders,” he said. “The library is on neutral ground and we don't take positions on issues.”
Posted July 21, 2003.
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