Library Removes LGBTQ Fairy Tale for Kids After Pastor Protests

A West Virginia public library has caved to pressure from a local church and pulled an LGBTQ book for kids from its shelves.

Prince & Knight by Daniel Haack is, as one might assume, the story of a prince and a knight falling in love, and living happily ever after. The content is extremely similar to other medieval fairy tale romances aimed at children, with the only difference being that the prince falls in love with another guy rather than rescuing a princess.

But Josh Layfield, the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mountain Highlands, led a charge against the book, claiming that it is a “deliberate attempt to indoctrinate young children, especially boys, into the LGBTQA lifestyle.”

“This book is deliberately appealing to their imagination, creativity, and their innocence when they still think girls have ‘cooties,’” he wrote in a now unavailable Facebook post. “Unfortunately, this is an intentional leading of children into sin and parents and citizens within this community must be mindful with what is happening.”

Upshur County Public Library has removed the book from its shelves and is currently debating whether or not to permanently ban it, potentially alongside other LGBTQ books for kids that are now being targeted by Layfield and his church.

Many families in West Virginia are pushing back against Prince & Knight’s removal, and a petition is being circulated to fight the ban, pointing out that “it is important that children have access to these types of stories [as] that’s been proven to reduce bullying, hate crimes, and suicide amongst LGBTQ+ youth.”

The author himself has scoffed at the idea that his book could turn anyone gay, pointing out that there are so many “gay adults who grew up only reading about straight romances.” Because as every rational person on the planet knows, while reading about gay people may help someone who is already gay learn to accept themselves, it will not actually magically turn a child into a homosexual.

“It’s been so heartening to hear from all the local parents and community members who are standing up in support of the book and its celebration of love and acceptance,” Haack said. “In many ways, it’s just like the brave prince and knight facing the dragon to protect the vulnerable citizens of their kingdom, and whatever happens, the children of Buckhannon will know they still have plenty of kind, loving and inclusive neighbors.”