Letter: Ideological battleground in Downers Grove

The public comment portion of the Sept. 6 Downers Grove Village Board meeting lasted about 90 minutes and mainly focused on the library's upcoming Drag Queen Bingo event for teens. Those opposed to the event used homophobic language. They threatened protests and violence. They booed Mayor Bob Barnett as he tried to keep order. In doing so, they tried to silence a free and public discussion of issues in our community.

The outrage of those who oppose this event isn't truly about the event itself. It's about whether our community will welcome people into public spaces if they cannot be easily categorized as white, heterosexual or cisgender. It's about requiring a certain allegiance to religious doctrine in spaces where there should be freedom of expression. It's about control.

Those who spoke in favor of the event emphasized that LGBTQ teens are often the most vulnerable children in our community, and stressed the importance of creating a safe environment for them to express themselves.

The neighboring Darien library had a similar event that was canceled under the same kind of pressure. We need to hold onto our inclusive values and prove hate has no home in our town.

There is currently an open seat on the library board, which is appointed by the mayor.

We must urge Mayor Barnett to choose an individual who represents the same welcoming values that the village and library represent. I'm calling on Downers Grove residents to support their library by writing letters to both the library and village boards in favor of this event and the library's work toward equity, diversity and inclusion.

The next library board meeting is Sept. 28. Anyone who supports the library should show up and speak out.

Amanda ReCupido

Downers Grove