Virginia lawmaker files lawsuit to limit 2 LGBT books to minors - UPI.com (original) (raw)

Virginia Del. Tim Anderson said he has filed a lawsuit to limit access to two LGBT-themed books to minors. Photo courtesy of Tim Anderson/ Facebook

May 20 (UPI) -- Tim Anderson, an attorney and a Virginia State Delegate, said he filed a lawsuit on behalf of Tommy Altman, who is running for Congress, this week in hopes to prevent two LGBT-themed books from being given to minors because of their content.

He filed the lawsuit after a state circuit court judge ruled Wednesday there was probable cause that the books in question should be restricted.

Anderson said the books in question, Gender Queer and Court of Mist and Fury, are obscene and book outlets like Barnes and Nobles, along with schools should keep them from the hands of minors.

"It doesn't mean the books are banned," Anderson told WJLA-TV. "It doesn't mean we're burning books or infringing on free speech. What it means is that there is extreme sexual graphic content in both of those books not suitable for minors without the parent's consent."

Retired Circuit Judge Pamela Baskervill issued two orders finding probable cause the books could qualify as obscene, allowing the authors 21 days to respond.

Anderson said Baskervill handling the case because all other judges in Virginia Beach recused themselves, according to the Virginia Mercury.

Democratic Virginia State Del. Marcus Simon, out of Fairfax, said Virginia Republicans who want to limit the distribution of such books are "bullies."

"Virginia Republicans want to ban books," Simon said on Twitter. " Everywhere -- they aren't stopping at schools and libraries. They are authoritarian bullies who want to control what you see, hear, learn and read. Everything they baselessly accuse the left of doing, they do."