LGBTQ+ community fears exclusion as Lexington library cuts Pride event
Lexington Public Library has canceled its annual Teen Pride Prom as part of an effort to cut back on programming.
The library is getting rid of programs deemed to be “under-performing,” said spokesman Dan Koett.
It will no longer host the dance, held annually in June, or reserve a booth at any community festival, like Lexington Pride Festival, Latino Live or the Lexington Roots and Heritage Festival.
Various other library programs, like a digital art program and Kindergarten preparation program, will no longer be offered due to low attendance.
Koett said the return on investment was not high enough to continue these initiatives, and while some LGBTQ+ programs are included in the overall rollback, the library is not getting rid of all programming for queer youth, or only targeting LGBTQ+ programming.
Members of Lexington’s queer community worry the cutbacks will disproportionately affect minorities.
“The silencing of our community can so easily domino throughout the country, the state and our city,” said Shelby Adams, a queer former Lexington Public Library employee who spoke at the library board meeting Wednesday.
“We’ll begin with a small rollback of queer programs and turn into an all out dismissal of the queer community,” Adams said. “And that could just be the beginning. Other marginalized demographics could also suffer.”
Maggie Finch, a doctoral student studying fairness and accountability, said neutrality is not an option and the library’s silence on important issues upholds exclusion.
Koett said LGBTQ+ programming is not going away — only Pride Prom.
At the board meeting, Library Director Heather Dieffenbach said the institution is committed to supporting the queer community and will not cancel all LGBTQ+ programming. She thanked people for showing up to make their voices heard.
“It’s one thing for the board to say ‘We’re not going anywhere’ and another for them to actually show it. For me it’s waiting and seeing in that aspect,” Adams said.
Jay Stringer-Vaught, a queer librarian who founded the Lesch Lending Library housed at the University of Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ Resource Center, said he is concerned the library will get rid of programs that help underserved communities over fear of losing funds or calls to remove collections.
He called on the library to stand firm with the community, citing the American Library Association Bill of Rights. He said the library board shouldn’t lessen its commitment to queer youth to protect funding, popularity or their own jobs.
“Consider who gets put on the chopping block. Self-censoring programs sends a damaging message to the LGBTQ community, especially to our youth,” Stringer-Vaught said.
“Neutrality will never appease those who relish in dismantling our public libraries.”
In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to limit the impact of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the only institution that gives federal funding to libraries across the U.S.
Koett said the library does not receive significant federal funding, and the decision to eliminate some programs has nothing to do with the executive order.
“This process wasn’t about exclusion; it was about inclusion. We’re working to create events and programs that are more fully integrated, where everyone is seen, respected, and celebrated — not separated,” Koett said in a statement to the Herald-Leader.
“Our commitment to serving all members of our community, especially those who have historically felt marginalized, is unwavering.”
This story was originally published April 11, 2025 at 10:24 AM.