A bookstore in downtown Lititz is having a teen pizza party to discuss a book about five girls who “do whatever it takes to help queer girls rise above oppressive laws and attitudes.”
Aaron’s Books, located on Main Street in Lititz, is hosting author Kelly Ann Jacobson on June 10 to discuss her “LGBTQIA+ young adult novel” with teenagers.
The book, Robin and Her Misfits, is a “queer retelling” of the classic Robin Hood story and follows five children who run away from their families “to live off the grid on their own terms.”
According to one review site, the book is an “exciting novel about queer love, homecomings, and hope.”
In a Facebook post, Lititz Chooses Love president Parker Webb promoted the event, saying Jacobson “has received rave reviews from LAMBDA Literary, LGBTQ Reads, [and] Reads Rainbow.”
“Tickets are $20 for ages 12-18. (parents don’t need to come). Includes dinner, drinks, and a copy of her latest book,” Webb wrote.
Webb’s comment that “parents don’t need to come” has raised concerns for Lititz resident Justin Kratzer.
Kratzer, who is involved with the group Warwick Parents for Change, told The Lancaster Patriot that parents should be the ones engaging their children about sexuality, not businesses or activist groups like Lititz Chooses Love.
“Why are adults engaging other people’s children about gender identity and sexual ideology?” Kratzer said. “Why can’t kids grow up without these sorts of influences from people who are not their parents?”
Kratzer noted how companies like Target selling gender identity-related products to pre-teens and teenagers and bookstores engaging teenagers on sexual matters is part of a larger trend of businesses targeting other people’s children on matters of sexuality.
He also pointed out that Webb’s post said the event was for ages 12-18, whereas the bottom of the event page on Aaron’s Books’ website says the event is “For Ages 13+.”
Webb’s comment about parents not needing to be in attendance is not on the bookstore’s website, but neither does the site say that parental supervision is required.
Webb is not a representative of the bookstore, but often promotes events on social media geared towards youth.
Webb’s own group, Lititz Chooses Love, hosts a “Family Karaoke Night.”
“Our events are free to attend and also free from transphobia, homophobia, sexism, ableism, xenophobia, fatphobia, ageism, hatefulness or discrimination of any kind,” Webb wrote in a post about a karaoke night.
Lititz Chooses Love is also putting on a homosexual pride festival on June 17 at Lititz Springs Park. The festival last year included a drag performance and attracted numerous teenagers, many without parental supervision.
The website for Aaron’s Books says that the store aims to include a “diverse collection of authors.”
“As a white owned business in a predominantly white community,” the website says, “Aaron’s Books recognizes that we have a responsibility to educate and improve ourselves with regard to BIPOC, LGBTQA+, persons with a disability, and other marginalized communities. We will continue to improve the diversity of our store stock, and be more cognizant of our own words and actions, understanding the inherent and systemic racism in our nation’s history, the publishing industry, bookselling, and our own community.”
The bookstore is also holding a “Rainbow Storytime” event on June 16 geared towards “our little readers.”
The Lancaster Patriot reached out to Aaron’s Books for comment, but the company declined.
I’m guessing it was cheese pizza…