I am writing in support of H6066, which amends RI Law Sections 11-31-1 and 11-31-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 11-31, dealing with obscenity. The amendment provides certain professionals, such as librarians, educators and museum personnel, relief from obscenity penalties in their professional work.
The Womxn Project is a 501c4 that works toward reproductive justice and freedom in Rhode Island. The movement we stand behind is partially based on ensuring people have access to unbiased educational materials so that they can make good decisions for themselves and their families.
Librarians and educators have been called groomers, accused of indoctrinating people into a way of thinking when they’re simply providing information. I find these attacks no more than a veiled form of censorship from a minority right-wing group, and believe it’s imperative that these professionals be protected by law.
Young people struggling with their identity can’t always turn to their families for help out of fear of rejection. People seeking information about their bodies and reproductive health can’t always rely on their families to provide accurate information. If librarians and educators, who want to teach and provide accurate resources, also have their hands tied from fear of breaking the law, people seeking information will be forced to turn to alternative resources. And the loudest alternatives often have agendas of their own, like the fake family planning clinics that promise information and help, but deliver lies instead.
If educators, librarians and museum personnel are protected by this proposed amendment, we can ensure that accurate information reaches those who need it the most.
Contact:
Jocelyn Foye, [email protected], 401-400-0061