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Lamberti: Gay library can help curb hate crimes
Broward sheriff among dignitaries at opening of new site for Stonewall Library and Archives
By Anthony Man
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
5:51 PM EDT, April 23, 2009
FORT LAUDERDALE
Shortly after becoming sheriff in 2007, Al Lamberti was jolted
by a state report showing Broward was the most diverse county in
Florida -- and also No. 1 in hate crimes. That's what led him to appear
Thursday at the ribbon-cutting for the gay-oriented Stonewall Library
and Archives.
More than simply a political statement by the
county's top elected official, the Republican sheriff said the
Stonewall Library would ultimately improve public safety.
"How
can we be the most diverse and yet we lead the state in hate crimes?
That tells me that we basically don't understand one another. Everyone
doesn't realize where we all came from," Lamberti said. "Learn to
accept people for who they are, and that's how you're going to reduce
these hate crimes."
The library offers shelves full of books
(about 20,000) and videos (about 1,000). It also hosts film series,
book groups and culture programs, and displays historic memorabilia --
including protest signs shown in the opening scenes of the movie Milk. There are about 45,000 items in the archives that are open to authors and researchers.
Some
of the archival material almost prevented the move to the city-county
facility adjacent to Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale. When the move
came up for government approval in 2007, then Mayor Jim Naugle
objected, citing concerns over pornography near a park frequented by
children.
Jack Rutland, executive director of the library, said
Naugle's objections created an inaccurate impression. The archives
portion, closed to all but bona fide researchers, contains some adult
materials. The few researchers with legitimate projects and advance
approval do their work in a fluorescent-lit institutional room.
"I find it amusing that anybody would find anything titillating about that at all," Rutland said.
Despite
the past controversy, the 125 people who attended the ribbon-cutting
included a slew of politicians, Democratic and Republican, straight and
gay.
"The message here is that in this city we are going to
recognize you for who you are, for what you do and for what you
contribute to the community. We are not going to discriminate," said
Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler.
Seiler, Lamberti and City
Commissioner Bruce Roberts -- who was Fort Lauderdale's police chief
when Naugle tried to block the library move and claimed there was
illicit gay sex in public restrooms -- said they couldn't think of any
reason it shouldn't be located next to a park.
The new, visible location is a sign of progress, said library board chairman Chuck Williams.
"When
people talk about the gay agenda, I'll summarize it for you.... The gay
agenda is simple. We want a place at the table with everyone else," he
said. "That's what we're here today to celebrate, that our place at the
table has arrived."
Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4550.