In response to the letters to the editor on June 6, “The Drag Queen imbroglio” and “Common sense no longer,” I offer the following for your consideration.

Call it a coincidence that the letters from Mike Byrnes and Peter Hewett should fall on the same day that we honor those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice 75 years ago during the D-Day invasion to protect the freedoms too many take for granted. What a wonderful country we live in that both of these men have the freedom to voice their opinions and concerns regarding the Drag Queen Story Hour at Rogers Free Library, and for that matter the freedom of choice I have to respond to the same.

Those same freedoms should apply to all who have the freedom of speech to protest and the freedom of choice to participate, or not, in an event they may find distasteful according to their standards or personal beliefs.  To condemn an event based upon either, screams in the face of the Constitution that we pride ourselves on and have a parade every year to celebrate.

If children were protesting in front of the library or may attend the Drag Queen Story Hour, it will no doubt be with the approval and support of their parents, who may be a little more open minded. To declare that they were being used as pawns shows little respect for their opinions or choices.

I commend the library’s board for reversing course, allowing for the freedom of expression to take place in our public library. And I would expect the board to apply the same common sense in allowing Bible believers or advocates for conversion therapy, as both Mr. Byrnes and Mr. Hewett allude to, to read to children at the library as well and for parents to make the right choice whether they participate based upon their beliefs.

Freedom of choice, what a wonderful concept. Let’s not trash it.

Paul J. Salesi

Senior Chief, USN (Ret.)

Bristol