Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
On LGBT Books Issue, It's Pearce vs. Clovis City Council Colleagues
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years ago on
July 11, 2023

At Monday's Clovis City Council meeting, Diane Pearce (far right) heard criticism from some of her colleagues. From left to right: Matt Basgall, Vong Mouanoutoua, Lynne Ashbeck, Drew Bessinger and Pearce.

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Several Clovis residents, including three city councilmembers, criticized Diane Pearce for her views on LGBT books at the Clovis Public Library at Monday night’s council meeting. Because the item was not on the agenda, the city council did not take any official action. But, it led to a stern debate.

Pearce, elected to the Clovis City Council in 2022, criticized the county library system for displaying LGBT books during the June Pride month. She said some books — especially dealing with the transgender issue — had no place in a space for children. She made the comments on her Facebook page, and later an interview with GV Wire.

Residents complained that Pearce’s comments were harmful to a vulnerable LGBT community.

Jennifer Cruz, a Clovis mother and manager of the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, opposed Pearce’s views.

“Councilwoman Pearce’s messages are regressive and undermine intellectual freedom and inclusivity. Her statements create fear aimed at the LGBTQ community and make people afraid to visit their own public library,” Cruz said.

Mayor, Councilmembers Criticize Pearce

After public comment, in which five of the six speakers opposed Pearce’s views, the councilwoman responded.

Pearce said her conservative views have always been well known. She reiterated her view that transgender books are adult content, and do not belong in the children’s section of the library.

“I will not stand by and be silent about the attempt to normalize the sexualization of our children,” Pearce said. “I make no apologies for speaking that truth.”

It was Pearce’s colleagues who provided the sharpest rebukes. While Mayor Lynne Ashbeck and councilmembers Matt Basgall and Vong Mouanoutoua did not take a stand on the book issue itself, they said Pearce’s comments were a distraction.

Ashbeck said focusing on the library issue won’t help build streets or hire police officers. Pearce’s comments, Ashbeck said, caused “angst and destruction.”

“I don’t think you understand the impact of your words on our staff, on the citizens, the people who work here. People who work here have transgender kids. People who work here are gay. People who work here are Black. And all of those things, we pay a price for those (comments),” Ashbeck said.

Pearce said it is her role to push back against things not necessarily in Clovis’ jurisdiction. Libraries are run by Fresno County.

“If we aren’t willing to stand up and push back against those things that are coming from Sacramento or from other groups and organizations that are trying to put pressure on us, then I don’t think we’re doing our jobs very well,” Pearce said.

Ashbeck said Pearce should speak on such issues on her own, and not as a member of the city council.

Clovis mother and LGBT advocate Jennifer Cruz spoke against Clovis Councilwoman Diane Pearce’s views on books at the library. (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

How the Fresno County Public Library Selects Books

In an email statement to GV Wire, county spokesman Joshua Dean said that the library has a collection development team that selects the books available for checkout at the system’s 34 branches.

“Our book selectors are professional librarians with master’s degrees in Library and Information Science,” Dean said. “They consider circulation data and local interest. Additionally, we regularly receive suggestions for purchase from the public that we may also add to the collection. Suggestions can be made at https://www.fresnolibrary.org/ask/suggest_faq.html.

“Most of the library’s collection is currently purchased through Baker & Taylor, the leading supplier of library content, software, and services to public libraries in the U.S. A majority of the titles are purchased through curated lists provided by Baker & Taylor.”

Dean added that items that aren’t checked out much by the public are removed to make way for potentially more popular selections.

Who Decides Themes for Library Displays?

Dean said that each branch librarian decides on the displays he or she feels will resonate with the community. He noted that most of the displays highlight national and state holidays. But the displays also bring attention to awareness months such as Pride Month, which was in June, Native American Heritage Month, and Lung Cancer Awareness Month.

Said Fresno County Administrative Officer Paul Officer:  “Public questions and concerns about any county service are welcomed and provide an opportunity to review policies and procedures to ensure that we are serving the public to the best of our ability and representing our community.”

Clovis Council Also Sore About Flag Issue

Pearce’s council colleagues also expressed dismay over Pearce criticizing them in a May 12 video on Facebook, over not defining a flag policy for the city.

At the May 15 council meeting, several speakers inspired by Pearce, spoke in favor of a policy that would fly only the American, state, or city flag on municipal flagpoles.

Several councilmembers at that meeting were irked by the implication they did not support the flag. They said it was not necessary to codify, and they believe only the aforementioned flags should fly.

The criticism of Pearce attacking them came up again on Monday.

“When it involves other members of our city or volunteers and we comment on them, I think we really need to be careful in not doing that in the future as well. And that’s for all of us,” Councilmember Matt Basgall said.

Councilmember Vong Mouanoutoua also had advice for Pearce.

“Grace goes a long way. Tact is still good. And I just feel like we need that,” he said.

Clovis City Councilwoman Diane Pearce responds to criticism. (GV Wire/Jahz Tello)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

US Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted on Federal Charges From Skirmish at New Jersey Immigration Center

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

1 hour ago

Brian Wilson, Summer’s Poet Laureate of the Beach Boys, Dies at 82

2 hours ago

Harvey Weinstein Convicted of Sex Crime Amid Contentious Jury Deliberations

New York (Reuters) – A Manhattan jury found Harvey Weinstein guilty on a sex crimes charge on Wednesday, though the jury has not yet r...

36 minutes ago

36 minutes ago

Harvey Weinstein Convicted of Sex Crime Amid Contentious Jury Deliberations

38 minutes ago

Federal Raids Threaten California Businesses as Immigrant Workers Vanish From Job Sites

1 hour ago

Water Scarcity Is Forcing Tough Decisions. This Legislation Can Keep Our Family Farm Afloat

Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, center, applauds for those affected by the Los Angeles area wildfires as she gives the State of the State address in the House of Representatives at the state Capitol with Speaker of the House Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, left, and Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, flanking the governor on Jan. 13, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP File)
1 hour ago

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

Brian Wilson obit
2 hours ago

Brian Wilson, Summer’s Poet Laureate of the Beach Boys, Dies at 82

2 hours ago

Russian Attacks Kill 3 and Wound 64 as Drones Hit Kharkiv and Other Parts of Ukraine

2 hours ago

World’s Most Popular TikTok Star Khaby Lame Leaves the US After Being Detained by ICE

2 hours ago

Elon Musk Backs Off From Feud With Trump, Saying He Regrets Social Media Posts That ‘Went Too Far’

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend