Opponents of Measure A push back against efforts to keep graphic sexual content in children’s library sections.
Parents and community members in Huntington Beach are preparing to vote on Measure A this June 10, a proposal that has become a flashpoint in the debate over who decides what content belongs in the children’s section of public libraries.
At the heart of the controversy are books that feature explicit images—including erect penises—and graphic sexual instructions, some even disguised as coloring books for kids. Opponents of Measure A argue that the current system has failed to protect children from such inappropriate material, and they want to see tougher standards implemented.
If passed, Measure A would eliminate the current system—a City Council-approved 21-member review board that vets books for teen and children’s sections—and replace it with vague “community standards” that supporters say reflect diverse viewpoints. But critics of the measure say it would actually loosen oversight, opening the door to more sexually explicit materials making their way into children’s reading spaces.
The Kitchen Table Activist, a vocal critic of the explicit content already present in local libraries, highlighted some of the shocking materials available and challenged voters directly: “I would stick with ‘Surf City,’” she said, calling into question the image the city wants to project.
Supporters of Measure A, including activists and the ACLU, have labeled community concerns as “censorship” and derided opponents as being part of the “MAGA” crowd. The ACLU has even sued the city, claiming the current parental review system violates California’s Freedom to Read Act.
Opponents of Measure A have placed signs around town urging voters to “PROTECT OUR KIDS FROM PORN,” encouraging a “No” vote. They argue that the measure would silence parental input and strip away a safeguard that currently allows for public meetings and transparency in how children’s materials are selected.
Also on the ballot is Measure B, which would prevent the city from outsourcing library management to external contractors. Backers of the measure say it guards against turning libraries over to corporate control, while opponents—led by the city’s mayor and mayor pro tem—claim it undermines financial accountability.
With both measures on the line, Huntington Beach voters are being asked to decide whether children’s libraries should prioritize explicit content or community values—and whether parents will continue to have a seat at the table.
