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FACT BRIEF

Did US Rep. Derrick Van Orden confront the staff of a Wisconsin library over a display of LGBTQ+ books?

By Jacob Alabab-Moser
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YES

Before he was elected to Congress in 2022, Rep. Derrick Van Orden confronted employees at Prairie du Chien Memorial Library over an LGBTQ+ Pride Month display in the children’s section. 

Van Orden, a Republican representing Wisconsin's 3rd U.S. congressional district, visited the library on June 17, 2021, and questioned staff about the display. He said the books, including “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo,” presented "incorrect" information, the La Crosse Tribune reported. Library staff described his demeanor as "upset."

Van Orden checked out almost all of the LGBTQ+-themed books before returning them less than a week later. He also filed a statement of concern about one of the books. 

Other Prairie du Chien residents also made written and verbal complaints about the display. Van Orden issued a statement expressing his support for equal rights for all Americans, including LGBTQ+ people.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Congressional candidate Derrick Van Orden confronted teen library staffer over Gay Pride display
La Crosse Tribune Library staff felt 'threatened' after GOP candidate complained about Pride Month display
AP News Library worker: Candidate was irate over gay books display
People Wisconsin library worker says Republican candidate threatened her over Gay Pride book display
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Wisconsin Watch, the news arm of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism, increases the quality and quantity of investigative reporting in Wisconsin, while training current and future investigative journalists. Its work fosters an informed citizenry and strengthens democracy.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.