The president of the American Library Association (ALA) is backing up her “Marxist” views as Republican criticism of the association grows.
Emily Drabinski, who calls herself a “Marxist lesbian,” became president of the ALA in July 2023. The ALA is the largest nonprofit trade organization for libraries. It has used its influence against efforts to ban lewd books from school libraries, instead recommending dozens of LGBT books for minors, according to The Daily Wire.
Republicans began criticizing the ALA after Drabinski made a post on X, formerly known as Twitter before she became president of the organization.
“I just cannot believe that a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build and can be wielded for a better world is the president-elect of @ALALibrary,” Drabinski wrote in an April 2022 post. “I am so excited for what we will do together. Solidarity! And my mom is SO PROUD. I love you mom.”
Top librarian: 'Marxist lesbian' tweet backlash 'regrettable'
“I just cannot believe that a Marxist lesbian who believes that collective power is possible to build & can be wielded for a better world is the president-elect of @ALALibrary,…”https://t.co/U0GnZogkV0
— John R Lott Jr. (@JohnRLottJr) August 8, 2023
Despite the backlash, Drabinski doubled down in a recent interview with NBC News.
“I was excited to highlight and celebrate two aspects of my identity that are really important to me, and are often under a lot of scrutiny,” Drabinski said. “I didn’t anticipate these kinds of targeted attacks being used as a bludgeon against library workers across the country. I really think that is regrettable, and I wish that wasn’t happening right now.”
The Montana State Library Commission was the first state commission to leave the ALA because of Drabinski’s remarks in July 2023. The commission’s president, Tamara Hall, praised the decision, calling it a “statement” about “what’s right for Montana.”
“We’re pulling out based on the fact that our oath of office for Montana and for the federal government is in direct violation of [Drabinski’s] Marxist opinion,” Hall said at the time.
“We immediately withdraw from the ALA and discontinue any further payments except for existing contracts to it or its subsidiaries,” the commission stated.
BREAKING: The Montana State Library Commission just officially voted to break all ties with the American Library Association over the fact that they elected a self described "marxist lesbian" as their president.
They are the first state to separate from the ALA. pic.twitter.com/AS77PQ4eN6
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) July 11, 2023
Montana is not the only state that has left the ALA. Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Wyoming, have led calls to leave the ALA over concerns of Drabinski’s Marxist beliefs and the organization’s political agenda.
