In the quiet aisles of Northern Cambria Public Library in a small borough of Pennsylvania, library director Justin Brown would routinely update the magazine section. That included adding the latest issues of Out, a magazine that celebrates LGBTQ+ culture, art, entertainment, and fashion. But, each time he went to place a new issue of the magazine, he found the previous issue mysteriously missing. This pattern of disappearance, initially a puzzling anomaly, has unraveled into a profound debate over representation and censorship, culminating in Brown’s dramatic resignation at a recent library board meeting. In an interview with The Advocate, Brown detailed the events leading to his exit. Brown said after witnessing the pattern of disappearance, he inquired with the staff, who were also unaware of how or why the magazines went missing. This lack of clarity led Brown to confront the board president Bill Lantzy, who confirmed that Out was indeed being removed from the collection because it was deemed “inappropriate” and allegedly contained nudity. During a November 28 meeting, the board members expressed concerns about the magazine’s content, particularly its suitability for a younger audience. Brown challenged these concerns by demonstrating the educational and cultural value of the magazine. But the board overlooked a perspective. Out is a sibling publication of The Advocate and Queer News Tonight stands in its support.
