From: stan@ids.net
Newsgroups: alt.censorship
Subject: AFA is at it again in Florida
Date: Sun, 11 Dec 94 16:46:01 GMT
Organization: IDS World Network Internet Access Service, (401) 884-9002 GUEST [telnet ids.net]
Lines: 37
Message-ID: <3cgdii$fr5@paperboy.ids.net>

Here in Florida, the American Family Association is at it again.

They are trying to get Blockbuster Music to stop selling Playboy videotapes in
their stores (even though other R-rated material is being sold without comment
from the AFA.  Of course this other material primarily promotes violence rather
than sex, perhaps that says something about the AFA in and of itself).

Secondly, the AFA is massing forces against Bookstop (a Barnes and Noble book
outlet) and against Barnes and Noble itself because of their concern over the
placement of material that discusses homosexuality (they feel it is "too close"
to the children's books).  What they seek is that this material is places where
"children cannot reach it."  How this last quote is interpretted to satisfy the
AFA is unclear, but considering that the primary mission of the AFA in Florida
is to assure that the right to discriminate against gays and lesbians is
consitutionally guaranteed, I think it's obvious that simply moving this
section of books isn't enough to satisfy them.

The AFA started this back in August.  They have complained to the store manager
and to the regional representative with Barnes and Noble, both of whom have
told the AFA flat out that the corporation sees no problem with the
configuration and that it is in line with other stores.

I have spoken with numerous friends about this issue and we are all in the
process of informing Bookstop and Barnes and Noble of our intentions if this
corporation bow to the whims of the AFA.  Namely, that we will no longer do
business with this corporation.  (The local manager assured me that they are
fighting this group and have no intention of changin their policy).

The real kicker here is that a member of the AFA also happens to be on the
local police force.  The local police are "looking into" possible actions that
can be taken against the store.  What this means is unclear, but could be
interpretted to be anything from actions directly addressing the sell of
materials at the store to harrassment on any number of things (from community
standards to building codes to permit and regulation violations).

I'll post more as it becomes available.