Alabama children’s book event canceled amid “escalating” anti-LGBTQ+ threats

A Mobile, Alabama event celebrating an LGBTQ+-themed children’s book has been canceled due to what the book’s author described as “continued and escalating threats” against participants and multiple host venues.

The reading and book signing for author, speaker, and Central Alabama Pride president Josh Coleman’s picture book Finding My Rainbow was originally scheduled for this Friday, July 12 at Mobile brewery Oyster City Brewing Company. The event also promised an appearance by social media influencer Ophelia Nichols, better known as “Mama Tot”, and a portion of beer sales benefiting AIDS Alabama.  

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Coleman’s book is described on Facebook as “a poignant and uplifting tale set in a small town in Alabama. It follows young Josh as he navigates the complexities of growing up, discovering his identity, and seeking acceptance.”

According to Alabama Political Reporter, the children’s book contains “no sexual content whatsoever” and does not even contain discussion of kissing. But that did not stop what Coleman has described as “MAGA Republicans and ultra-conservative Christian groups” from viciously attacking the event on social media.

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Coleman, who also serves as the LGBTQ+ liaison for the City of Birmingham, wrote in a social media post Tuesday that he had anticipated backlash when he wrote Finding My Rainbow.

“Each book event has faced scrutiny,” he noted, “but the public attacks over the last few days have been especially intense.”

Earlier this week, Nichols pulled out of the event due to what Coleman described as “severe personal threats” to the influencer and her family. According to local Alabama outlet 1819 News, response to a Facebook post about the event included comments like “This is sick” and “Hell nah!” One comment that is still visible on the event’s page reads, “I love mama tot but this is FOUL.” According to Alabama Political Reporter, one comment accused the event’s organizers of “pushing sexuality onto kids.”

Nichols was to be replaced by drag performer Colombia Taylor. But on Wednesday, Oyster City canceled the event amid continued threats, citing “the safety of our employees and customers” in a Facebook post.

“Multiple hateful and threatening comments on social media are being taken seriously by management in the interests of our staff and customers’ safety,” the venue wrote, adding that it does not “abide hate” and would be donating $1 from every beer sale on Friday to AIDS Alabama.

In a Wednesday post, Coleman wrote that he was “deeply thankful” for Oyster City’s initial support, and announced that the event would be moved to a Mobile Books-A-Million store. “I don’t care if I sell one book,” he wrote. “This is about principle. We will not let anyone turn us away or silence our voices.”

When hate tries to dim our rainbow, we shine even brighter. 🌈 Join us at Books-A-Million in Mobile on July 12th at 6 PM for a celebration of love, authenticity, and resilience. Your support means everything! #FindingMyRainbow #LGBTQVoices #StandProud #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/VC4l07lc2l

— Josh Coleman (@joshcolemanal) July 10, 2024

But on Thursday, Coleman once again took to social media with news that the reading and book signing had been indefinitely postponed due to “continued and escalating threats now directed at” the Books-A-Million location.

“These attacks have gone too far,” he wrote. “The relentless hate and harassment we’ve faced highlight the deep-seated bigotry that still plagues our society.”

Due to escalating threats, our Mobile event is postponed. We will not be silenced by hate. Our voices are vital, and our stories deserve to be heard. Stay tuned for the rescheduled event. Together, we stand stronger for love and acceptance. 🏳️‍🌈📚 #FindingMyRainbow #LGBTQ #LoveWins… pic.twitter.com/Tbfa4jf3GH

— Josh Coleman (@joshcolemanal) July 11, 2024

In his Wednesday post, Coleman claimed that “The leader of the protests against our event is a MAGA Proud Boy who participated in the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th.”

While Coleman did not name the individual, according to Alabama Political Reporter, Mobile resident Darren Sweeney had planned to protest the event, urging those who “feel a strong urge in your core that something has to be done about this propaganda aimed at our children” to send a message that it is “not welcome and businesses that support it will be met with resistance and boycotts.” The outlet also reported that on January 6, 2022, Sweeney posted a photo on Facebook showing himself outside the US Capitol building wearing a Trump and holding a “Don’t Tread on Me” flag.

On Thursday, Sweeney told AL.com that he wanted to explain to Coleman that he is “in no way an extremist,” claiming that he and his group “have never considered protesting” drag shows and brunches aimed at adults. However, Sweeney asserted that events like the one for Coleman’s children’s book allow people to “target and publicly groom other parents’ prepubescent children.”

Coleman has not responded to Sweeney’s comments, which echo anti-LGBTQ+ scare tactics that have become all too common on the far-right in recent years. In his Thursday statement, however, Coleman wrote that “This extremist has organized a campaign to silence us, but they have only strengthened our resolve.”

He went on to promise that he was already planning to reschedule Friday’s event. “We will return to Mobile with the same format, including a Drag Queen Story Time, to celebrate our community and share our stories,” Coleman wrote.

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