Dear Editor:

Someone in Summerland has arbitrarily decided that Canadians should not have the right to access informative and harmless books talking about human sexuality.

They have been going into the Summerland public library and hiding, or removing a book titled, Sex Is a Funny Word.
 

While the Summerland library does not know the identity of the book-hiding culprit, it’s a safe bet that said culprit has extremely conservative views around sex – views that likely have their roots in religious ideology and indoctrination. To such a person, sex education feels threatening if it contradicts their beliefs.

In Canada, we have the freedom to read what we want and to have consensual sex with whom we want. Children are unable to provide consent. It is this vulnerability that makes accurate sex education vital for children’s health and safety – including books like Sex Is a Funny Word, written by a sex educator with a master’s degree in education.

Children must receive accurate sexual education about their bodies and the sovereignty thereof. This includes the fact that not all people are heterosexual, nor do they need to be. 

In Canada, people do not get to impose their views on everyone else by hiding books, trying to ban them, or denying funding to public libraries. 

Canadians must pay close attention to ensure this does not happen.

Janice Selbie, Registered Professional Counsellor

Religious Trauma Recovery Coach

President, ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists Association

ÁðÁ§ÉñÉç